As in all derbies, this is the match not to be lost.
This Monday, Liverpool and Everton will play the 226th Merseyside derby, the 193rd in the league.
Unlike most derbies, there is no political, social, or economic rivalry.
This meeting is also nicknamed "friendly derby", the friendly derby.
A somewhat exaggerated nickname.
Since 1992, only two meetings between the two teams have ended without a card.
In reality, there is no friendship between the two teams, far from it.
But the two clubs know that they are part of the same clan, especially when it comes to "tapping" the common enemy that is Manchester.
To discover
Premier League fixtures and results
Premier League standings
But this year, this very special meeting seems to be running out of steam.
If in the stands, the supporters give voice, on the ground, the air is rare.
Liverpool, in great difficulty this season, is stagnating in the soft underbelly of the championship, in tenth place.
The Reds are already 21 points behind leaders Arsenal.
On the side of Everton, the situation is not much better, with an 18th place, synonymous with relegation.
Liverpool continue their descent into hell
Liverpool have accustomed us to so much better.
Last year again, the Reds finished in second place in the championship after an absolutely epic season in the duel against Manchester City.
With 92 points, Liverpool did not become champions, just one point behind Skyblues.
Jürgen Klopp's men also fell in the Champions League final to Karim Benzema's Real Madrid but still won three domestic cups.
And this year, nothingness.
Eliminated in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup even before the quarter-final stage, the Reds also sank in the league.
Mohamed Salah's teammates are currently in tenth place, with already seven defeats in the Premier League, ten in all competitions.
And in such circumstances, even Jürgen Klopp, the ingenious technician and leader of
man, is called into question.
Even if for now, leaving is not an option.
Either we change in the coaching position or a lot of things have to change.
As far as I'm concerned, unless someone asks me, I won't leave
Jurgen Klopp
One thing is certain: even for the German coach, appreciated by players and supporters, a defeat in the derby could be fatal.
Everton revival with Sean Dyche?
Sean Dyche - former footballer passed by Chesterfield, Millwall or Watford - took over the controls of Everton after the departure of Frank Lampard on January 23.
Before that, he spent ten years on the Burnley bench, from 2012 to 2022. Main achievement for him: a second place in the Championship (second division) in 2014 and five seasons in the Premier League between 2016-2017 and 2021 -2022, including an excellent 7th place in 2017-2018.
At Everton, currently 18th in the championship, the mission promises to be difficult.
The Toffees have already had to fight to save their place in the top flight last season.
This year again, victories are rare.
Before the arrival of Sean Dyche, the last success of the Toffees dated back to October 22.
And the English technician's first match, on February 4, was not a gift given that his team faced Arsenal, solid leaders of the championship.
But, against all odds, the Toffees won 1-0, what is more in a very successful match.
This second challenge against Liverpool is therefore not a gift, but if successful, Sean Dyche could breathe new life into his team.
We have to go back to the 2012-2013 season to find Everton ahead of Liverpool at the end of the 38th day of PL.
The Toffees had finished in sixth place, one position and two points better than their rivals.
If the feat seems out of reach this season, a victory in the derby would already be welcome, given that Everton have only three successes since 2005, that is to say in the last forty games.
