Recently, beIn Sports presenter Richard Keys tweeted that Everton might very well finish higher in the league next season as compared to their Merseyside rivals.
https://twitter.com/richardajkeys/status/884036561725251584
The tweet got us thinking.
And we decided to take a look as to why Keys’ prediction just might come true.
A successful previous season for the both teams:
As the 2016/17 came to a close both the Merseyside teams were more or less happy with what they had achieved. Liverpool managed to finish fourth on the table and with that, they secured a Champions League qualifier berth. Everton, on the other hand, secured a Europa League spot under new boss Ronald Koeman.
While for Everton it was a step forward, but for Liverpool, their season could have gone much better. Up until December, they were pretty much in the title race, but as soon as Sadio Mane left for the AFCON, Klopp’s men crumbled under pressure.
But having said that Jurgen Klopp would have been fairly happy with what he had achieved at the end of the season.
Why Everton can trump Liverpool next season:
Well, firstly one of the main reasons why Liverpool had an average campaign was due to their over-dependency on Sadio Mane. The Senegalese went to the AFCON for just one month, and when he came back, Liverpool had well and truly surrendered their title challenge.
So Jurgen Klopp’s biggest job this transfer window was to bring in reinforcements. But so far Liverpool have managed to sign only two players, Dominic Solanke from Chelsea and Mohamed Salah from Roma.
Everton, on the other hand, have been having a wonderful transfer window. They have possibly done some of the best business in the whole of England. Yes, Koeman has lost Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, but he has so far spent £85 million bringing in six world class players.
He has brought in the likes of Jordan Pickford and Micheal Keane amongst others. Last week the Toffees also managed to sign Wayne Rooney on a free transfer from Manchester United. Even though Rooney struggled to get game time at United but back at Everton he might be able to play a much larger role.
The Football Fan Base view:
The final standings on the league table will only be revealed at the end of the next season. And it is totally dependent on how each team plays throughout the season. But as of now, Everton do look a slightly better side than their rivals, atleast on paper.
