Few Premier League stadiums invite more visitors than Everton’s fictitious Goodison Park.
Blues followers often refer to the Grand Old Lady as “Bear Pit” for nothing.
John Barnes believes a short trip across Stanley Park on Saturday for the 237th Merseyside Derby will take into account the lack of such hostile reception against Liverpool.
The Corona virus caused a three-month closure in March of a pandemic that allowed followers inside stadiums to watch elite football.
With no imminent plans to open turnstiles, players are still performing inside empty venues.
That, in the case of Barnes, influences the tactics and approach of many teams.
“Having no fans at the stadium helps Everton more than Liverpool on Saturday,” the LFC legend said.
“I had no fans at Goodison’s last derby in June. Everton were a great team and really wanted to win.
“What you don’t want to do when you play for Liverpool is get into a basketball game against them, where one team attacks and the other attacks.
The international break is almost over, and Premier League football is booming again.
Liverpool travel to Everton on Saturday for the first Merseyside derby of the season.
Sign up for our LFC Newsletter for the Reds’ best coverage from Paul Ghost, Ian Doyle and the rest of the Echo team ahead of the big encounter.
Otherwise, all the latest breaking Liverpool news will be delivered directly to your inbox, along with analysis, comment and more.
How do I sign up?
It’s free and easy and does not take much time.
- First Click on this link to sign up for our newsletter.
- Once there, put your email address above, and then click on the Liverpool FC Newsletter. There are many more if you need them.
- When you select it, press the Update Priority button below.
that’s all! From that moment on, your emails will arrive in your inbox. It’s very simple.
“Sit in the best way, catch them in the counterattack, and profit from the set pieces.
“But Everton fans do not allow their team to play like that at home.
“When Liverpool were a great player I went to Goodison and was under the Everton coach, instead of admitting that they were trying to hold on, the fans were leading the home team.
“As they went on, Liverpool counter-attacked and destroyed.
“But Everton don’t have to do this because there are no fans there.”
Speaking to ECHO, Barnes added: “Carlo Ancelotti has no problem with Liverpool having everything. Everton will be well organized.
“Then, of course, there are some players, there are no crowds.
“I’m not saying there are Everton or Liverpool players. But of course the lack of crowds helps some of the players in the Premier League perform better.
“Everton fans are very passionate, but the fact that they are not there will help their team on Saturday.”
In all, the Blues have won their first seven games, four of which have come home, to clear three points at the Premier League summit and reach the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
Barnes pointed to the summer appointment as a key component of their revival.
“Everton are playing with confidence and have a much better balance,” he said. While the Evertonians walked away with the performance of James Rodriguez, the rest of the money came from Alan and Abdullahi Dcor.
“When you have two hard-working forwards like Richardson and Dominic Calvert-Levine, it allows for a player like James.
“Calvert-Levine scores goals because he is now in the right position in the middle, while in the past he spread a lot of energy to the channels. He is good in the air, strong and direct. ”
Liverpool have come under fire after their 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa last season, the biggest loss in 57 years.
Barnes does not believe in reading too much on the brink of a setback.
“I think the Villa game was a one-off,” he says. This is a poor performance in two years. Liverpool lost games during that period, but they never made that kind of performance.
* BT Sport Monthly Pass allows you to watch BT Sport for $ 25 for a simple monthly fee without a contract. Customers can watch all BT Sport Premier League matches on Saturday from 11.30am for the next 30 days, including Everton v Liverpool. Visit for more information bt.com/monthlypass
“What disappointed Jrgen Klopp the most was that they were brave and Villa ran more than them. That’s what Liverpool are proud of.
“If they needed a wake-up call, that was it.”
Tv fanatic. Amateur food maven. Devoted webaholic. Travel lover. Entrepreneur. Evil writer. Beer guru.
