Everton Must Seize Their Moment Of Opportunity Or Accept Their Place In The Shadows

This Sunday Liverpool take on Everton in the 214th Merseyside derby, a game that was referred to as The Friendly Derby for years before common sense prevailed and people realised it was anything but a friendly encounter.

Liverpool's short trip to Goodison Park this weekend provides the best chance for Everton to get a league victory against their bitter rivals since the 2006/07 season when an Andy Johnson brace helped the Blues on their way to a comfortable 3-0 win.

The Reds have suffering from a string of poor performances, off-field turmoil and long-term discontent amongst the Anfield faithful with the current hierarchy at the club; though the latter could be resolved sooner rather than later despite the threat of administration hanging ominously over Anfield.

Everton last finished above Liverpool in league in the 2004/05 season but that feat was eclipsed that very same season as their neighbours became European Champions for a fifth time after a famous victory over AC Milan in the Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul.

Their last victory, of course, came in the FA Cup 4th Round Replay at Goodison Park as Dan Gosling's 118th minute winner, made infamous by ITV, sent the Everton faithful into delirium. The Blues went on to make the FA Cup final at Wembley before losing 2-1 to Chelsea.

Since 2005 the Toffees have fallen behind their rivals with the likes of Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano widening the gulf in class between the two clubs. But, more recently, the departure of Mascherano added to the decline of Liverpool's talisman Steven Gerrard and constant injuries to Torres have played their part in the clubs arguably being as evenly matched as they've ever been.

It could be said that Everton would have finished above Liverpool last season were it not for a horribly long injury list with key players like Mikel Arteta and Phil Jagielka missing for a lot of the season but, despite an extremely poor season by the usual high standards, Liverpool just about kept the bragging rights; finishing a mere two points above Everton although the Reds had lost two more league games.

Both clubs have endured miserable starts to the season and lie in 17th and 18th place with only goal difference separating the two. Liverpool, under new management, suffered a shock home loss to Blackpool in their worst result of the season so far whilst Everton took seven games to get their first league win before finally beating Birmingham City 2-0 at St Andrews.

Not only does this game give Everton a chance to claim the bragging rights for the fans, it also gives the club, as a whole, the opportunity to bring the pendulum swinging across Stanley Park and in the direction of Goodison Park. Should the Blues finish above Liverpool this season, the balance of power could take a long time to shift back towards Anfield.

On the face of things, this looks set to be one of the worst Merseyside derby for years given the circumstances both clubs find themselves in but it could yet be one of the most interesting.