Although Liverpool’s emphatic 4-0 win over Wolves was nothing new, the environment in which both teams competed was slightly different, a difference that can only be considered as being for the better.
With the city being placed in Tier 2, as far the England’s coronavirus restrictions are concerned, it means that 2,000 supporters are now allowed access to both Anfield and Goodison Park. For both clubs, it could provide a timely boost.
For the red half of Merseyside, this could prove to be the catalyst for a season that although it has not stuttered as yet, has not quite hit the same levels as it did 12 months ago. Because of their slight regression, it has opened up the playing field for their Premier League rivals.
Then again, even with Liverpool suffering the slightest setbacks at present, they are still a rather dominant force in the division. When you consider the litany of injuries that Jurgen Klopp has had to oversee recently, it only makes their efforts all the more impressive.
Although it would be unfair to say that Liverpool’s been lucky with injuries over the past two seasons, they certainly possess very little of that attribute at present. With the ranks becoming ever more depleted, questions have been asked of the man in charge.
There’s no doubt that Klopp likes to squeeze every drop out of players and it must also be said that his charges are just as ready to run through brick walls when asked. However, it is this all-out assault on the playing field, which is creating more of a risk when it comes to injury or fatigue.
With the former Borussia Dortmund manager leading the call for the return of five matchday substitutes in the Premier League, there is an obvious attempt at being able to lessen the strain on a tiring group.
However, with little in the way of rotation or even calling upon the three substitutes that are currently permitted, Klopp’s argument for additional options each weekend is one that falls slightly flat.
There’s almost a sense of use it or lose it here. If the man who oversaw Champions League success in 2019, was a little more willing to rotate at first or at least use all the substitutes that he is currently allowed, then perhaps Liverpool would not find themselves in such a physical bind.
Of course, if Liverpool is in such a bind, they are doing their best not to show it. With them challenging at the top of the table once more, they are generating a lot of interest from pundits and punters alike. Those who want to place a bet on the defending champions achieving a second successive league title in May 2021 can get a ‘bet £5 get £30 deal’ from a Sky bet welcome offer. Offering exactly what it says on the tin, this offer rewards you with £30 in free bets when you place your first £5.
With the likes of Squawka considering Liverpool as favourites to win the title, there is a lot of confidence in the Anfield outfit at present. When you think how well the team performed against Wolves, that confidence is certainly not misguided.
The Anfield roar could subsequently play a massive role in an attempt at winning a second successive Premier League crown. With 2,000 supporters already in fine voice, there is hope that figure will only increase throughout the rest of the campaign.
Should the Kop be back at its fullest decibel limit for the most critical part of the season, it could be worth its weight in goals, and if Liverpool can ride out their current injury storm, smoother waters are certainly going to be on the horizon.
Moving across to the blue half of Merseyside and although Goodison Park was unable to open its doors on the same weekend – if only for the simple reason that Everton was playing away at Burnley, 2,000 Toffees fans will soon be afforded the same opportunity.
An opportunity that will hopefully convert chants into goals for the home side. When you look at Everton’s recent results, they are currently finding themselves in what can only be described as a sticky situation.
Since earning a point in October’s Merseyside derby, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have only picked up four more in the six matches that have followed. Following such an impressive start to proceedings, they have fallen off quite considerably.
After picking up four wins from the first four fixtures of the season, the talk was of Everton finally breaking through the glass ceiling that has been over them for several years, and each of their victories only increased the optimism within the Everton camp.
You only need to look at their opening weekend win over Tottenham, to get a measure of just how quick out of the blocks they were. After dominating Jose Mourinho’s men from minute one to ninety, there was a sense that Ancelotti and his players meant business.
However, if they were to mean business, they certainly are not trading in wins as of late, and if there is one thing that has derailed any charge for Europe next year, it is the absence of key men through injury and suspension.
Remove the essential parts of Everton’s jigsaw and the whole picture becomes distorted. When the likes of Richarlison or James Rodriguez are unavailable, the supporting cast struggles to live up to its billing.
A problem that is worsened by the long-term absence of Lucas Digne and with the Frenchman now undergoing a lengthy spell on the treatment table, his teammates are missing his output on the left-hand side of the field.
How Ancelotti can muddle through such a spell remains to be seen. Although Digne’s injury is a bitter pill to swallow, there is a dose of medicine to follow. Medicine that comes in the shape of 2,000 supporters lending their voice.
If they can back the team through thick and thin, then Everton should be able to revive themselves from the slumber they are now in. If a decent amount of momentum can be cultivated, those supporters may be given a reason to be cheerful at the end of the season.