Assessing the Threats to Liverpool’s Four Status

Everton

Roberto Martinez did a wonderful job at Goodison Park in his first season, with an unlikely top four charge from March onwards. Unfortunately, they just ran out of steam at the end due to their tough run in of fixtures.

It has prompted an unparalleled net spend from the Toffees as they signed Romelu Lukaku (for a club record £28m from Chelsea), Gareth Barry, Muhamed Besic, Samuel Eto’o and Christian Atsu (on loan from Chelsea).

The defence still seems to be on holiday however, as Everton have conceded 10 goals in their opening 3 league matches and have yet to register a win. Draws with Arsenal and Leicester City followed by a 6-3 home defeat to Chelsea (with a Jonathan Woodgate-esque debut from Besic) have exposed the ageing pair of Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin.

John Stones cannot be expected to replace both and is still developing, while they will miss Ross Barkley immensely. Moreover, a tough Europa League group, containing Lille and Wolfsburg, will only stretch the squad further.

Everton’s squad is not as wafer-thin as in previous seasons – but it is still not strong enough compared to their rivals as they have lacked the financial clout.

They need another couple of £30m net spend seasons to have a serious chance of claiming a top four place, with last season being way ahead of expectations – much like their city rivals.