Even in a strange year of weird happenings, it still doesn’t quite stack up: Everton go into Saturday’s Merseyside derby as the form team who are top of the league.

Liverpool lost their last game 7-2 to Aston Villa, languish in fifth place and have a goal difference of zero.

While Everton are rejuvenated, Liverpool look rattled. Has their high line been sussed? Has complacency crept in after two all-conquering years? Do they have an Achilles heel in Adrian, their reserve keeper?

These are the questions being asked before the most eagerly anticipated derby in decades. But if form favours the Blues, history doesn’t.

It’s 10 years since they beat the Reds, 10 excruciating years when they’ve been second-class citizens in their own city.

Even during Liverpool’s long title drought, the Toffees couldn’t capitalise: their last trophy win coming with the FA Cup in 1995.

That inferiority was never more painfully exposed than in January, when the two met in the FA Cup third round. Liverpool had just been feted as world club champions in the Gulf so fielded a youth team: they were still too good for Everton.

But that was when Carlo Ancelotti was already wondering what he’d let himself in for. Even having a billionaire owner (Farhad Moshiri) had not changed their fortunes – it just meant a lot more money had gone down the drain.

A disappointing 12th place finish last season hardly lifted spirits but the Italian’s summer signings did. An opening day win at Spurs followed and the feelgood factor has been maintained.

Now, it’s four wins out of four in the league and seven out of seven in all competitions. They’ll never have a better chance to reclaim the local bragging rights.

Ancelotti – a three-time European Cup winner – has brought in quality to banish that inferiority complex and raised the club’s profile internationally.

Just as Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have spread the Red tide in the Middle East and Africa, James Rodriguez is turning the Americas into Toffee territory.

With Latin heartthrob looks and a left foot that can strum the Bossa Nova, the Colombian has become Everton’s own talisman – even before his three goals and three assists in four games.

His signing – a steal of the century free transfer from Real Madrid – had 500 million global views and now Everton are equalling Manchester United who were previously 17 times bigger.

Once this was the most parochial of derbies. The grounds glare at each other across a park, families agree to differ for the duration.

But now Everton vs Liverpool has become a truly global affair. The lunchtime kick-off (7.30pm in Malaysia) could have its widest ever world audience.

The Blues have developed their own homegrown hero, too. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has added goals to his game under Ancelotti – and won England recognition.

His clash with Virgil van Dijk is just one of many intriguing battles in store.

But while the Blues fancy it like they haven’t for decades, Liverpool could also be grateful for the timing.

If ever they needed a deep clean it was two weeks ago, but the international break meant there was not even an MCO.

Still, time to get that 7-2 out of their system and show it really was a one-off. The neighbours will ensure their mask doesn’t slip.

Neither manager will know until the warm-up what sort of shape many of their internationals will be in – the South American contingent only arriving back the day before.

But Liverpool will be pleased that Bobby Firmino banished thoughts he needed a sabbatical with goals and an assist for Brazil. And both Covid-19 casualties, Mane and Thiago Alcantara, have recovered and should start.

After his stunning debut when he broke a passing record for a 45-minute stint, the Spaniard’s presence could be vital to counter the new midfield of Everton.

Besides Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan (who will miss the game through injury) have brought a transformation in the middle of the park and provided Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison with the ammunition they need.

Calvert-Lewin is joint-top scorer in the EPL with Spurs’ Son Heung-Min on six. But it is the improved frequency of his goals that tells the tale: one in every 202 minutes last season, one in 56 this season.

His aerial prowess and constant running are sure to test Liverpool’s high red line.

But Everton also have question marks about their keeper with Jordan Pickford’s erratic form a worry behind a less than water-tight defence.

It all adds up to a fascinating battle. Never has there been so much riding on it: an Everton win would suggest they are serious contenders for a top four place while Liverpool’s aura of invincibility would have been well and truly cracked.

A dominant Liverpool performance would mean normal service has been resumed.

We can hardly wait to see if there is such a thing in this abnormal year.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.