KIernan Dewsbury-Hall caused a stir with his comments about the number of Everton and Liverpool fans but he is expecting a different type of game for the first Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Like David Moyes with his ‘People’s Club’ comment, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall caused a stir with Kopites when he observed that he’d seen far more Everton supporters roaming the streets of the city than Liverpool fans, but he’s looking forwards to a special atmosphere for the first Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Asked about his statement, which he followed up with replies on X (formerly Twitter) of: “Couple hungry people on here... I wasn’t lying though,” the 27-year-old said: “That was a bit of fun, wasn’t it? I did get a fair few people chomping, but it’s all part of it.
“Now I need to go and back it up in the game. But no, I love it.
“I’ve seen a couple of comments say there’s probably more Everton fans coming up to you and that probably is true, but I can only go off what I see. It does add a little bit of spice, a bit of extra little motivation and hopefully I can do well and score at the weekend.
“We’re humans and I’m the same as everyone else. It’s a bit of banter and obviously there is a time when we have to be stern, but I think it was a good moment just to have a little bit of fun.
“To be fair, the Everton fans backed me up all the way, so, even though there were those Liverpool fans, there were also as many Everton fans. It was a bit of fun, and it made me even more excited for the game.”
Everton fan group the 1878s – who are also displaying a new tifo for the fixture – have planned another coach welcome before kick-off like they did for the previous home game against Dewsbury-Hall’s previous club Chelsea, and having commented how that previous gesture for the players had set the tone for the hosts’ 3-0 win a month ago, he’s expecting another special atmosphere this time around.
He said: “The Chelsea game has made me think about it a bit more. That game surprised me, the whole occasion.
“Because we haven’t had it yet, that was my first experience. That was like: ‘Oh, wow!’
“Now it’s made me think: ‘Is going to be another massive occasion?’ And I know it is.
“It’s going to be a heated day. In terms of the game, I think it’s going to be a really good game.
“I think it’s a different sort of game to what it’s been the last couple of years. We’re both fighting for the same thing with six games to go, which for the last couple of years hasn’t been the case.
“I do think it’s a bit of a different dynamic in this game. Both teams are going to go for it and we’re not going to be sitting back and hoping we get something.
“It’s like: ‘We’re also fighting for the same thing as you.’ It sets it up for an exciting game for everyone.”
If any of the Everton players were still in any doubt about the importance of Sunday’s historic fixture, the Blues among their staff have helped drum home the message over the past week during the build-up to the game. Dewsbury-Hall said: “I’m quite an out there person that will go and chat to anyone, so I’ve always had good relationships with staff, but obviously here, I do feel like they’re just more passionate, like they properly love it.
“They are not just working for the club, they actually love the club, so it does bring a different perspective. I think they’re all as excited as this about this game and the final six games, so hopefully we can keep a smile on their faces.”
Another message that has been reiterated over the past seven days has come from manager David Moyes, reminding his squad not to start slowly like when they had an inexplicably sluggish beginning at Anfield for their previous match with Liverpool. Asked if the Glaswegian gaffer has brought that up, the midfielder said: “Oh, he has.
“He reminded us: ‘Look remember what happened at Anfield in those first 30 minutes – it wasn’t our level.’ That was in an earlier part of the season and there is no way we are going to be starting a game like that again.
“He has almost let us know: ‘It’s there for you now – don’t let them come to the stadium and think it is going to be an easy game.’ I’m hoping that is what you will see.
“Naturally, there are going to be different mindsets. Liverpool have just won the league and people will say they are underachieving this year.
“In recent years, we had been down towards the lower end of the table, but people will be saying we are maybe overachieving. That is a different mindset.
“We are raring to go, thinking: ‘can we achieve this?’ and they will probably be thinking: ‘we’ve just got to win this game.’ It does bring different emotions.
“I do think you might see that. Hopefully we will be on the front foot from minute one, aggressive.”