Historic Final Derby at Goodison Park
The Merseyside derby is more than just a football match. It's a saga of passionate rivalry between Everton and Liverpool, and this upcoming fixture on February 12, 2025, at Goodison Park holds special significance. It's the last time these two titans will square off at the iconic stadium before it's reduced to rubble. With Liverpool recently facing an FA Cup blow, they're on a mission for redemption, and the air is thick with anticipation. It's not just a football game; it's the end of an era.
Clash of Strategies and Key Injuries
Everton, enjoying a new burst of energy under the seasoned management of David Moyes, go into this derby with a buoyant three-match winning streak. The shift in form is as palpable as the excitement among the ever-hopeful fans. Nonetheless, the Blues face setbacks with key player Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined due to a nagging hamstring injury. On the opposing side, Liverpool must adapt without the defensive prowess of Joe Gomez, also out with a hamstring issue.
Lineup predictions are already setting the stage: Liverpool are expected to field the talented Alisson in goal, paired with the ever-reliable Virgil van Dijk anchoring the defense. Upfront, Mohamed Salah’s lethal finishing is Liverpool’s ace, particularly with his 21 goals in the season. Chelsea’s ambitious strategy hinges significantly on Salah's sparkling away performance.
Everton’s lineup might spotlight Jordan Pickford’s agility as the last line of defense, while striker Beto shapes the attack. With the potential absence of left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko, Everton’s vulnerabilities may be exposed by Liverpool's relentless attack.
As these rivals prepare to collide, the anticipation isn't just about the game but the history that comes with it. In Premier League history, the fixture boasts a notorious reputation with 23 red cards, emphasizing the fierce competitiveness that underscores every encounter. The stats show that Liverpool have their sights set on clinching their 100th competitive victory over Everton—a testament to the tense battles these teams have fought over the years.
Oddsmakers favor Liverpool as the -230 favorites, a reflection of their dominance in recent lineups and form. Moreover, Mohammed Salah emerges as a prime candidate to score at any time during this thrilling encounter.
Analysts are weighing in with predictions of over 2.5 goals, tempted by the mix of Salah’s scoring streak and Everton’s potential defensive frailties. With all eyes on Goodison Park, fans and analysts alike are bracing for a match that's likely to be etched in derby history.
Oh wow, Liverpool are -230 favorites? That’s not a bet, that’s a donation to the Kop. And let’s not pretend Everton’s ‘new energy’ is anything more than a 3-game fluke before they go back to losing 4-1 to Watford next month.
Also, ‘Chelsea’s ambitious strategy’?? Bro, you meant Liverpool. You typed Chelsea. Twice. Are you drunk or just bad at your job?
I’ve watched every Merseyside derby since ’98. The absence of Calvert-Lewin and Gomez changes everything. But Everton’s defense under Moyes has improved - they’re not the same team that collapsed against Man Utd last month.
Look at Pickford’s distribution. He’s been playing like a sweeper-keeper. And Beto? He’s got the composure to exploit Liverpool’s high line if they push too hard. This isn’t just a derby - it’s a tactical puzzle.
I just hope no one gets hurt. These games always feel like they’re on the edge of something terrible. I don’t care who wins - I just want everyone to walk off the pitch in one piece.
This is why football matters. Not the stats, not the odds - it’s the history. Goodison’s going to be gone soon. And this match? It’s the last time a generation of fans will feel the ground shake when the crowd roars.
Even if you hate one side, respect the moment. That’s what real football is.
The article mentions Salah has 21 goals. That’s impressive. But it’s also statistically improbable that he’ll score in every away game. The data suggests a 68% chance he scores, not a guarantee. And yet, everyone treats him like a deity. This is the problem with football worship.
It is with the utmost respect for the storied traditions of English football that I submit the following observation: The impending demolition of Goodison Park constitutes a significant cultural loss to the architectural heritage of association football venues in the United Kingdom. The structural integrity of the stand supports, dating back to 1892, remains a testament to Victorian engineering.
THIS IS IT 😭🔥 GOODISON’S LAST DERBY!! 🤯 I’M CRYING ALREADY 💔 GO BLUE 🟦💙 OR RED 🟥❤️ I DON’T CARE JUST LET IT BE EPIC!!
Salah scoring again is a given but Everton have a chance if they just sit deep and hit on counters like they did against Brighton I think they can do it
They say it’s the end of an era. But honestly? The era ended when they stopped selling tickets for £5 and started charging £80 for a seat next to a vape cloud.
Goodison’s last stand. No matter who wins, this is history. The roar, the mud, the rain, the chants echoing off those old walls - no new stadium will ever feel like this. Respect.
I’m not even a Liverpool fan but I’m rooting for Salah to score 3. Just because he’s magic 😍🔥
Life is like football. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes the stadium gets torn down. But the feeling? That stays. That’s the point.
So the article says Liverpool want their 100th win over Everton. That’s 100 times they’ve beaten a team that’s been their neighbor for 140 years. Kinda wild when you think about it. Not really a rivalry if one side keeps winning. More like a weekly humiliation.
Pickford good 🟦 Beto good 🟦 Salah bad 🟥
This is all a distraction. They’re tearing down Goodison because they want to hide the fact that the FA paid Liverpool millions to play there one last time so they could sell the land to Amazon for a data center. The red cards? They’re not from football. They’re from the ghosts of the 1985 Hillsborough victims haunting the pitch. I’ve seen them. In the floodlights. At 3am.
I’ve been to Goodison. I’ve stood in the Gwladys Street end when the whole place shook. I’ve seen a 70-year-old man cry because he knew he’d never see another derby there. This isn’t just a match. It’s a funeral. And Liverpool? They’re showing up in black suits with champagne. That’s not sport. That’s cruelty.
Honestly if you think Calvert-Lewin’s injury is the main issue you’re not watching the right games. The real problem is Everton’s midfield structure hasn’t adapted to modern pressing. They’re still playing 4-4-2 like it’s 2007. Meanwhile Liverpool’s system is pure chess. Salah? He’s not a player, he’s a algorithm. And the odds? They’re not even close to accurate. I’ve got a spreadsheet that shows Everton’s xG is higher than expected
I get why people are emotional. But maybe we should also think about what this means for the fans who can’t afford tickets anymore. Goodison was always for the people. The new stadium? It’s going to be full of corporate boxes and NFTs. The soul’s leaving with the bricks.
The assertion that Liverpool are favored at -230 is statistically sound, given their recent performance metrics and goal differential. However, one must consider the psychological impact of playing in a stadium with imminent demolition - a factor rarely quantified in betting models.
They’re calling this the last derby at Goodison. But what about the last time a kid bought a scarf with his pocket money? The last time a dad brought his son here? The last time someone screamed until their voice broke? That’s what’s really dying.