Everton out to dent Liverpool's title bid in last Goodison league derby

Denting Liverpool's title ambitions will be a big enough incentive for local rivals Everton on Saturday but the fact it is also the last Merseyside Premier League derby at Goodison Park in the will add extra spice to the occasion.

Everton will move out of their spiritual home since 1892 at the end of the season, taking up residence at their swish new 52,000 capacity Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

While the club's owners and fans hope that will mark the beginning of a new era of success after many years in the doldrums, the new ground may struggle to recreate the fevered atmosphere of derby day at Goodison Park.

Just under 40,000 will witness the 245th clash between the rivals on Saturday lunchtime but the decibel level will sound like much more as Sean Dyche's hosts try to beat the leaders and create one last abiding memory for the blue half of the city.

The first Mersey derby at Goodison Park in October 1894 resulted in a 3-0 victory for Everton and while a similar outcome might be fanciful, given the current form of table-topping Liverpool, the form book may go out of the window.

That said, Liverpool have lorded it over their 'friendly' neighbours in recent times, losing only three derbies in the last 14 years although significantly the last time they made the short trek across Stanley Park it proved costly.

Everton's 2-0 win at Goodison in April paved the way for their top-flight survival while dealing a massive blow to Liverpool's hopes of winning the title in Juergen Klopp's final season in charge at Anfield.

Klopp's replacement Arne Slot will get his first taste of the Merseyside rivalry on Saturday but judging by the way he has started his reign he will take it all in his calm stride.

Liverpool have won 18 of their 21 games