Can Liverpool’s Merseyside Derby Victory Spring Them Toward the Top Four?

Liverpool have been enduring a torrid time in 2023. They hadn’t picked up a win in the Premier League since the turn of the year and had been on the wrong end of three drubbings, handed out by Wolves, Brentford, and Brighton. As such, many people's Liverpool prediction was that they were huge underdogs to climb back into the top four. But the recent victory against Everton in the Merseyside Derby has breathed new life into the walls of Anfield. 

Goals from Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah and new signing Cody Gakpo — who grabbed his first goal for the club — were enough to seal a 2-0 victory over their local rivals. And Liverpool will be hoping that result can springboard them toward the top four, and Champions League qualification for next season. But The Reds will have their work cut out in making that dream a reality. 

Six Points Off the Top Four

The victory over Sean Dyche’s Blues meant that Liverpool were nine points off fourth-place Newcastle, and they also had a game in hand on the Magpies. Victory at St James' Park cut that gap to six points and with Eddie Howe’s men without a victory in their last four, that gap could continue to shrink. 

Jürgen Klopp’s optimism should also be bolstered by the fact that a number of other members of the ‘Big Six’ are faltering. While Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United seem to have taken up permanent residence in the top three, both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are having a torrid time this term. 

Faltering Giants 

Spurs are currently in fifth place however, they have lost three of their last five, including a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of lowly Leicester City. And Graham Potter’s Blues are in disarray. They are four points worse off than Liverpool, without a win in their last three and simply unable to put the ball in the back of the net. 

While Liverpool do have their work cut out, one shouldn’t write them off for a spot in the top four. They have proven time and again that they will come good when it matters the most, and don’t be surprised to see them dining at European football’s most elite of dinner tables once again next season.