Andy Gray says Everton are in a false position and can ignite their season with a derby day win.
Everton have fewer problems than Liverpool, says Andy
I can't remember the last time I was preparing for a Merseyside derby with both sides in the bottom four. It's staggering to see these two clubs where they are.
It's quite conceivable that after the match either Liverpool or Everton will still be in the relegation zone, which is extremely surprising when you consider both of them came into the season with so many positive thoughts.
Both started the campaign expecting things to be better this time, particularly Everton who had such a great back-end to last season. They had a fit squad, they were upbeat and they hadn't lost any big players to other clubs, despite rumours that the likes of Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta might leave.
It's been a real disappointment for Everton, but in truth I think they have been a little unlucky. I've seen them play on two or three occasions and the level of their football has been excellent at times.
But for some reason they've had a real problem with scoring goals this year. I think the fact that Louis Saha hasn't been prominent at the beginning of the season has obviously affected them and that has been a real blow to David Moyes. Also Yakubu wasn't really ready after the World Cup and the Everton manager has occasionally been forced to use Marouane Fellaini as a makeshift centre-forward.
So that has been a disappointing thing for Everton, but I do think their level of performance has been much better than their position in the table suggests.
I would argue that their problems are less serious than Liverpool's. David Moyes doesn't need to change an awful lot and the result at Birmingham City in their last game proved that; to beat a side like Birmingham, who hadn't lost at home all year, will be a massive boost to their confidence.
Everton are normally very difficult to beat, they have a very talented and competitive midfield and they usually have enough threat up front to pose problems to teams. Having found that first victory of season, I would expect them to start to move away from the bottom of the league, regardless of what happens this weekend.
Advantage
I think you would have to say Everton are the favourites on Sunday. They have home advantage and I do think the quality of their football is slightly better than Liverpool's. They have more players in form than Liverpool and they should go into the game with a confidence and a belief that they can win it.
I would be even more concerned about Liverpool if Fernando Torres was absent, so the news that he is fit to return is massive for them.
I know he's not playing well, but players like Torres need to play football to get themselves fit and every game he plays will get him closer to the level he wants to be at. He could get back to form at any time, perhaps even on Sunday.
Torres will be a genuine threat and even though he has only scored once this season, he brings more to Liverpool than just scoring goals.
He is a brilliant focal point for any of their attacks and he's a footballer who gets involved in the build-up for his team. He doesn't just stand there and finish things off, he works extremely hard on every aspect of the game.
He contributes far more than just scoring goals for Liverpool and Everton must be wary of him on Sunday afternoon.
It would be fair to say that Roy Hodgson and his players could do without all of the things that have been going on off the field this week.
It's not as if they can ignore what has been happening in the court room and the board room. It's been in every newspaper and on every news bulletin and the situation has become quite nasty at times. That will not affect the players, but they will think about it.
But there's no better place to get free of the problems that the club has than on the football pitch. If they want to give the fans something to be proud of, the best way to achieve it is to go and beat your nearest rivals. That would be the best result that Roy could hope for.
If they don't play well, perhaps some players will say they were distracted by it, but in truth they shouldn't really be affected by what's going on. The players can't affect that, all they can do is go out and play football.
Whatever happens in the boardroom is for the board members to deal with; it shouldn't be an excuse for the team not playing well on the pitch.
Secondary
Usually when Everton and Liverpool play each other the most important thing for the supporters is to beat their rivals; the three points are secondary in their thoughts.
But usually these two teams are nowhere near the relegation zone. Everton have flirted with danger a couple of times over the years, but it is quite rare.
What I think is key for the two teams on Sunday is to find a result to springboard their season into life. There is no better way of getting your season going than by beating your closest neighbours.
The most important thing this weekend is winning the game. I don't think anyone will be too worried about the performance, as long as one of the teams has given their fans the result that they need at the end of the 90 minutes. That will give everybody great confidence to move forwards.
In contrast, the team that loses will probably remain in the relegation zone and will have a lot to do as the season reaches the end of October.
But I think both sides are equipped to move up the table. Big teams have gone down in the past, but I don't think either of these two sides have any chance of getting relegated.
This game can always surprise you, but I would be absolutely amazed if either of the Merseyside clubs were still in this position at the end of the season.
