The Merseyside Derby That Doesn’t Matter

Everton return to action after the Coronavirus lockdown with a Merseyside Derby match against Liverpool. This is usually one of the biggest matches of the season but does the derby really matter this year?

Life and Death

The simple answer is no. There are far bigger things than football. A former manager of our opponents once claimed that football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important than that. Shankly’s statement was said in a very tongue in cheek manner but many people have clamoured for a return of the sport at a time when people are still dying of Covid-19. The idea that it would lift the spirits of a nation was bandied about by desperate politicians who were trying to deflect from the scrutiny from their own performance in this crisis. Of course, the real reasons that the season was not canned was simple.

Money.

The Premier League stands to lose a lot of money for each game that is not played in the season. Every club is losing gate receipts and the money that is usually made from concessions, kit sales and all of the other hoopla that makes the Premier League the richest league in the world. Of course, the North West of England is one of the hardest hit areas by the virus, with on over 300 cases per 100,000 of the population in the area on average. The country is still getting over a thousand new cases a day but football will cheer everybody up. I wonder what renowned socialist, Bill Shankly would have had to say about the situation?

Oh What an Atmosphere!

It is in this environment that the games are being played. There are no fans in attendance and there is no atmosphere. Instead, computerised crowd noises are being pumped into people’s lounges by the TV companies. These sounds are so unrealistic, especially at Manchester City on Wednesday. City are used to a stadium with empty seats and little atmosphere so why they bothered pumping in noise I have no idea. We still get Beglin, Carragher, Souness, badgeman, that lad with the guitar and the millions of other ex Liverpool players giving unbiased commentary though.

Thankfully City beat Arsenal, which stopped Sunday’s Merseyside Derby becoming a borefest about the shower winning the title in a portaloo. To be fair, with what used to happen on the kop in the 70s and 80s, the smell of urine as they lift the trophy will be a nostalgic moment for older Liverpudlians.

Competition?

The other reason these games are being played are because of ‘competition.’ I wonder if the clamour to finish the games would have been so big if City or Leicester were in the same position as Liverpool. Let’s be honest here. They have deserved the title win and were very close to sealing the title before lockdown. It would have been a crying shame if they had not been allowed to win the title. It would have been a crying shame. Indeed, I would have still been crying laughing until the middle of next season.

The idea that these last 9 games make a competition fair though is laughable. What home advantage is there in playing at an empty stadium? In the Bundesliga, 47.8% of games have been won by away teams since the lockdown, compared to 21.7% of games won by home teams. Before the lockdown, home teams won 43% of games compared to away teams 34%. This competition should always have an Asterix next to it because some teams will have played in front of their home crowd more than others. Everton will lose the impact of the crowd against Liverpool, who have not won in the league at Goodison since Sadio Mane’s fluky, final minute goal in 2016. This is their only Merseyside Derby win at Goodison since Martin Atkinson sent off Jack Rodwell in 2011. Home advantage counts. Can the absence of a crowd help Everton?

Change the Record

The media chat about Everton’s recent Merseyside Derby record is boring. The rentaquote pundits trot out the same stuff in the build up to every derby and some people’s anxiety levels rise. Derby matches are always frenetic but this one may be a more relaxed experience for the players. The lack of an anxious crowd, desperate for a win, can help the players stay concentrated on their game. We saw how the pressure got to the players in the cup game at Twyford’s this year. This time the players will be relaxed and will play their natural game.

Liverpool had looked tired before the end of the lockdown. This could be a great opportunity to get into a team who may be suffering from mental fatigue. They have had 2 months to think about whether they might be able to win the league. If Everton can contain them, their frustration might grow. It all depends who is available.

The lockdown has been terrible for Everton’s squad fitness. The injuries to Gbamin, Delph, Mina, Walcott and Schneiderlin mean that Everton are severely depleted, especially in midfield. Everton have something to prove, after the 4-nil defeat to Chelsea but they will have to do it with an injury hit squad. Carlo Ancelotti is likely to stick with his 4 4 2 formation. Anthony Gordon has impressed in training but is unlikely to start the game with Alex Iwobi and Bernard likely to start on the flanks. Whoever plays, they need to play with confidence and without fear because deep down, the game still matters to Evertonians. A derby win may raise spirits.

Perspective

Let’s get some perspective and be honest though. Football’s not a matter of life and death. It is far less important than that. So many people have been affected by this around the world. People have lost parents, children, brothers, sisters, husbands and wives. The economic affects are likely to go on for some years. Now that the decision has been made, let’s hope that some people can take some solace from the return of football. People deserve some happiness after what has been a difficult time for everyone around the world.

RIP to all of those lost in this virus. Thoughts are with all of the families in this awful time.