Gary Neville believes Liverpool will be given a psychological test if their rivals capitalise on the postponed Merseyside derby
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Gary Neville gives his assessment of the postponed Everton vs Liverpool Merseyside derby
Gary Neville gives his assessment of the postponed Everton vs Liverpool Merseyside derby (Image: Screenshot: YouTube: NBC Sports)
(Image: Image: Screenshot: YouTube: NBC Sports)
With Liverpool now not playing a Premier League game this weekend, Gary Neville believes their rivals will gain a psychological advantage. The Reds' meeting with Everton this lunchtime was postponed due to wind warnings brought by Storm Darragh.
As the only English top-flight fixture called off so far this weekend with others due to be played as normal, the Merseyside derby is going to have to be played at a later date. Now regardless of when it will be played, it will be the final league meeting between the two rivals at Goodison Park.
"Hugely disappointing but the health and safety of people comes first. I feel sorry for the fans in the US who have woken up early to watch this game and the fans who have travelled to watch the Merseyside derby back in England," Neville reacted to the postponement, appearing on NBC Sports. "That's life sometimes, we don't have the weather you do in Palm Springs in the north of England, unfortunately!"
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The former Man United captain first suggested that the Reds' opponents will be disappointed the adverse weather impacted the game in such a way, given the context coming into the meeting.
"They [Everton] had a good win in midweek, Liverpool obviously travelled up to Newcastle so they may have felt it was a good time to play them. It is what it is and they have to get over that.
"The last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park would have been a very special day, so there will be disappointment all round because psychologically they've all prepared for this game, the players and the fans. Even Liverpool fans, they respect the fact it is a historic ground and playing there for the last time is a big occasion."
And in the grand scheme of the Premier League table, as long as they remain playable Liverpool's rivals should be presented with the opportunity to make up some ground, albeit with the league leaders possessing a game in hand.
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"I think to get within four points psychologically, it's a big thing for those clubs," Neville assessed. "Last week they were looking at nine points - 11 points for Man City [behind Liverpool]. That does make a difference."
Manchester City, however, failed to take full advantage of the postponement, drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace on Saturday. Arsenal travel to Fulham and Chelsea travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, therefore both take place after the worst of Storm Darragh.