Investment can keep good times going

Dec 7 2004 By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

IT IS not just Liverpool who have been looking for some fresh investment.

Bill Kenwright is hopefully close to confirming that the long-awaited investment from the Fortress Sports Fund is in place.

Such a financial boost will be good news all round, given how well the team are doing on the pitch at the moment and the mess they were in during the summer.

They've got the Wayne Rooney money in the bank, the bank manager is happy because they have paid off some of their debt, and now this.

Let's make no mistake here - David Moyes is doing an excellent job, and Saturday's victory over Bolton was one of, if not the best win of what is turning into a tremendous season.

Bolton are a horrible team to play against. They're big and strong and get right in your face and the last thing you want to do is lose a goal against them. If you do then you know you're in for a real battle, but Everton were up to the task, not once, but twice.

They are just so confident at the moment and because of that they are very difficult to stop once they get some momentum in a match.

It will be Liverpool who find out just how difficult at the weekend and I think it will be a derby with a difference, for a few reasons.

Firstly, Everton will go into the game as favourites given their run of form, their league position and the fact they have all their players available.

Liverpool, although they have looked good of late, are shorn of strikers and still finding their feet under Rafael Benitez.

His input will also make it different, as the Spaniard has yet to taste that derby atmosphere and he may well have a trick or two up his sleeve to try and catch Everton out.

If I was to make a prediction now, then I'd say a draw is the most likely result.

I know, I know, Lawro's sitting on the fence, but I think the system the two teams play are similar and could just cancel each other out. Of the two, I think Liverpool would be happier with that result.

Still, as everyone says, form counts for nothing in derby games, so I will be watching with much interest.

* Mark Lawrenson was talking to NEIL MACDONALD