Everton host Liverpool at Goodison Park for the final time in the Premier League
Toffees have won one in six but will be boosted by midweek 4-0 win over Wolves
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By LEWIS STEELE
Published: 17:32 EST, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 17:32 EST, 6 December 2024
Sean Dyche understands he is not as steeped in knowledge around the Merseyside Derby as Everton’s loyal fanbase – but knows what a win can do to shape the mood of the city and team in the weeks after.
The former Burnley boss ended a 14-year drought for a win at Goodison Park in the fixture last season, a match that all but confirmed their Premier League survival while simultaneously putting a nail in Liverpool’s title hopes.
And ahead of what most probably is the last-ever Derby Day at the grand old stadium – barring the sides meeting in the FA Cup – Dyche knows a win will ease the ‘heat’ on his job safety and give Evertonians a spring in their step both in the stands and on the pitch.
‘Fans just immediately think you know what you are doing (after beating Liverpool). I mean it seriously, that is how powerful it is. Whether you do or don’t know what you are doing, when you get a result like that the reaction is “Oh, right, yeah!”.
‘After last season, emotionally people were just buzzing, happy. It is a great feeling when you deliver that to the fans and it is a great feeling as a manager. Inevitably that is a big part of what I am trying to achieve.
‘That moment when people look at you in that way they do when they are properly buzzing. It is quite an amazing thing. Old ladies going, “Well done, Sean!”, little kids too. It is such an odd experience for the next day or two!
Sean Dyche knows what a win over Liverpool can do to shape the mood of the city and team
Dyche ended a 14-year drought for a win at Goodison Park in the fixture last season
‘We popped out for a couple of beers and a curry after and people were just coming up to us saying “Oh brilliant”. And even a few Reds as well, to be fair, were going “fair play” so there is a bit of fairness (among fans), I've learned that in this city.’
Dyche had come under growing scrutiny from fans in recent weeks after a run of five winless games – four of which Everton failed to score in – but a 4-0 win over Wolves on Wednesday sees the Toffees enter the fixture with a spring in their step.
And the manager is keen to leave a lasting legacy – but admits it is for the fans not himself. ‘The legacy for me is that it will be for the people,’ he added. ‘I grew up in Kettering - the derby down there is Kettering v Corby or Kettering v Northampton!
‘So I haven't got the depth of knowledge (of this fixture) and I always pass these games on to the fans. If we can do it… it is for them, not for me. It is a great badge of honour for me as manager of course but it is not for me, it is for them.
‘So it will be part of their history. I will be that much in their history. The fact is they have been coming here for 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 years so it is for them. If we can deliver that then that is fantastic.’