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)
With their match against Everton postponed Gary Neville believes Liverpool would be handed a psychological test were their Premier League title rivals to win this weekend - a task Manchester City have now failed to do.
Storm Darragh has been wiping out numerous fixtures that were expected to take place across the UK this Saturday, including the Merseyside derby. That fixture was postponed just hours before its 12:30pm kick-off, leaving league leaders Liverpool without a match this weekend.
"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!"
Arriving into this weekend Arne Slot's side had dropped points in a dramatic draw at Newcastle United. They lost 2-0 the last time they went to their cross-city rivals, so Neville first suggested they may feel relief to avoid this bout at this exact moment in time.
"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," he continued.
"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, Man City were handed the opportunity to close the gap to their challengers from nine points to six points, albeit with Liverpool possessing a game in hand.
"I think to get within four points psychologically, it's a big thing for those clubs," Neville assessed. "Last week they (Arsenal and Chelsea) were looking at nine points [behind Liverpool] - 11 points for Man City. That does make a difference."
But now a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace has put another dampener on this wet and windy weekend. Man City failed to capitalise and apply that mental pressure on their rivals Neville spoke of, now Pep Guardiola's side now risk falling 11 points off the pace again.
Arsenal play Fulham whilst Chelsea go to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday too, therefore both have the opportunity to extend their lead over the champions to four points.