THE build-up to every Anfield Merseyside derby in recent memory references Everton’s 1-0 win at the stadium in September 1999. Kevin Campbell’s strike within the first five minutes was the only goal of the game. It was the last time the blue half of Merseyside triumphed on red soil.

The Liverpool lineup that day included the likes of Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp; the Everton XI featured players such as David Weir, Richard Dunne, Don Hutchison and Nick Barmby. 

These are figures associated with those early years of the English top flight’s Premier League rebrand, and a generation of players have come and gone since.

Everton carry a historical burden into this fixture, but they also carry increased hope. When they finally manage to win at Anfield again there will be a sense of relief, but also increased celebration and a feeling that the club is finally going in the right direction.

They have a chance to set off in that direction when the two clubs meet this evening, at the stadium which was Everton’s home for eight years until 1892 and has been Liverpool’s ever since.

It would be unfair on Everton supporters for this to finally happen while they aren’t present, tucked away in the bottom corner of the Anfield Road end and in the odd seats throughout the home sections where they inevitably manage to pick up tickets.

As was the case last year when Liverpool fans had to watch their team lift their first league title in 30 years on TV, it would be typical of these times for Everton to lift this burden in the sterile atmosphere of a supporterless stadium accompanied by the bland soundtrack of fake crowd noise. The TV directors are unlikely to have the popular ditty Red and White Shite lined up to play during the broadcast of this game.

Nevertheless, this scenario may offer Everton a good chance to end their barren spell on the opposition side of Stanley Park.

Liverpool have struggled this season due to an unprecedented defensive injury crisis. But they also appear to have suffered from the lack of extra motivation normally provided by packed stadiums — something which usually supplements Jurgen Klopp’s high-energy style of football.

One thing sport minus fans doesn’t have as much of is a feeling of home advantage. These are just games of football played in big empty stadiums lacking the identity provided by supporters. Despite clubs’ best efforts to replicate a home matchday, this could be Anfield or anywhere, Liverpool or Rome.

One advantage for the home side is not having to travel too far. But given the local nature of this derby, that might not apply here either. 

It’s almost feasible that Everton could prepare for the game at Goodison Park and walk across to Anfield in time for kick-off. They may struggle at half-time in this hypothetical scenario, but it’s one that indicates there may not be much of an advantage for Liverpool.

There are many levellers, and there might be another in the dugout. Klopp has only won three of his nine meetings with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti and has already lost twice to him as Liverpool manager when the Italian was managing Napoli.

Their two Premier League meetings have ended in a draw, with Klopp’s Liverpool edging an FA Cup Third Round tie in January 2020 thanks to a wondergoal from Scouser Curtis Jones, who was just 18 at the time.

This version of Liverpool versus Everton sees one legendary manager, Ancelotti, come up against one of the pioneers and popularisers of modern counter-pressing football in Klopp. 

This means that for the first time in recent years, both Merseyside clubs have managers whose ambition matches that of their respective fanbases.

Ancelotti won two European Cups as a player and has won three Champions Leagues as a manager with Milan and Real Madrid. While previous managers may have played down expectations, the Italian has not hidden the fact that his aim at Everton is to win trophies and qualify for Europe.

Meanwhile Klopp has revitalised Liverpool, taking them to three European finals and eventually winning the Champions League in 2019 before that historic league title a year later.

Optimistic Everton fans are anticipating historic seasons of their own in the coming years, and they will be hoping a first win at Anfield in 21 years can help them turn a corner. 

When Campbell latched onto Francis Jeffers’s pass and slotted the ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld in 1999, Everton fans burst out of their seats in the Kop to celebrate the goal.

There will be no images of Everton and Liverpool fans together in Anfield this time around. But the derby spirit will be present behind all closed doors across Merseyside, and the playing field at the southern end of Stanley Park may be more level than ever.