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Leon Osman sends top four warning to Everton fans ahead of Merseyside derby against Liverpool: ‘Don’t get carried away’
Leon Osman has warned Everton fans not to get too carried away by their brilliant start to the season ahead of this weekend’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool.
The Toffees are the Premier League’s in-form team, flying high at the top of the table with four wins from four games and the joint-best goal record with 12 scored - with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting half of them.
Their stunning form has led many to tip Carlo Ancelotti’s side for a top-four finish, and even to challenge for the title this season.
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Well, they’ll get their first real test of those credentials on Saturday when they face defending champions Liverpool at Goodison Park - with LIVE and EXCLUSIVE commentary on talkSPORT.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are very much a wounded animal after their 7-2 mauling at the hands of Aston Villa last time out, which has surely given Everton hope of ending their long TEN-YEAR wait for a victory over their Merseyside rivals.
But Goodison legend Osman, who – aside from two early loan spells – played his entire career in Everton blue, has moved to temper those lofty expectations, saying he’d be happy if they finished in the top six.
Speaking on Friday’s talkSPORT Breakfast, the former midfielder said: “Before the start of the season Everton were looking to just try and break into the European qualifying positions.
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“Sometimes you get carried away with expectations, and yes having started so well you can maybe change the expectations and try and achieve fourth place.
“But I think you just need to not get carried away.
“Look at Leicester last season, they looked they were all-but certain [for the top four] and they didn’t make it. You’d still say they had a good season finishing fifth.
“So, if Everton finished the season in fifth position I’d be quite pleased.”
Osman was on the pitch when Everton last tasted victory over Liverpool all the way back in 2010 with a 2-0 win at Goodison.
Since then, they have lost 11 and drawn 11 in 22 games against their crosstown rivals, with the last three games at Goodison all ending 0-0.
But, after the start to the season we’ve had in the Premier League, there will surely be goals this time.
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And Osman is expecting a stunning Everton victory to end a decade of hurt.
“Both teams’ strength at the moment is going forward and scoring goals – as we’ve seen, Everton are seemingly scoring goals at will and Liverpool have arguably the best strike force in the Premier League,” he added.
“But also, both teams are finding it difficult to keep clean sheets too, so on paper it certainly looks like it’s going to be pleasing on the eye and we’re all hoping that’s going to be the case.
“I think it’s going to be a game full of goals, and I think whoever defends better on the day will win. I think Everton will just squeeze it 3-2.”
Saturday is GameDay on talkSPORT as we bring you three LIVE Premier League commentaries including Everton vs Liverpool at 12:30pm!
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