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Mark Lawrenson has told BBC Sport that he believes that the reason Everton have struggled so much in recent months is down to the last-gasp 1-0 defeat they suffered in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool in December, ahead of the reverse fixture at Goodison Park on Sunday.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Toffees went into the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s men last year in sixth position, eight points adrift from the top four and above Manchester United on goal difference.
They were high in confidence and would have fancied their chances of taking something at Anfield, and they almost did before Jordan Pickford’s mistake led to Divock Origi’s 96th-minute winner.
Since then, Marco Silva’s men have only taken 14 points from their 14 Premier League fixtures – including three in the 3-0 win against Cardiff City during the week – and lie in ninth position, 20 points from the Champions League qualification spots and significantly closer to the relegation zone than they are to sixth-placed Chelsea.
Lawrenson feels the lost against their local neighbours had a big part to play, telling BBC Sport: “I was at Anfield when Liverpool beat Everton in November as Jordan Pickford’s injury-time error let in Divock Origi for the winner.
“Everton had played really well, from front to back. They created some really good chances but lost because of a piece of bad luck, and there is an argument that result has seriously affected their season.”
Is he right?
The evidence is pretty damning, and Everton certainly haven’t been the same since that moment.
Considering the money they have spent and some of the players they have at their disposal, the fact that they have lost eight of their previous 12 top-flight fixtures is unacceptable, and it is fortunate that they started the campaign well otherwise they would be in big trouble right now.
Home advantage and the motivation to cost Liverpool in the title race means the Sunday clash will be intriguing though, with Lawrenson tipping the hosts to take a point.