Ancelotti: How Everton can beat Liverpool in Merseyside derby

EVERTON manager Carlo Ancelotti has described what his side need to do to defeat their arch-rivals Liverpool in Saturday evening’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Although the two neighbours are close in the table, there is a wide gap in their head-to-heads, especially at Anfield.

Everton have a very poor record at Liverpool’s ground, where the Toffees have not won for 22 years, while Jurgen Klopp is unbeaten in 12 Merseyside derbies. 

Ancelotti will however be banking on Everton’s away from in the Premier League this season, as they have claimed 23 points from 11 matches on the road. Liverpool also have dodgy recent form at home, losing three Premier League games at Anfield already this season.

“It is important to be focused on what we are going to do in the game, the strategy of the game, to be brave and confident,” Ancelotti told the media.

“And to try to play football. To play against Liverpool, you have to compete at the level they used to putting in the games. You have to try to find a solution up front, you cannot only defend against them.

“You have to try to propose something [cause problems offensively] and we are going to try to do that.”

Midfielde enforcer Allan is back from injury, and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored 13 league goals this term, should also be available.

Ancelotti added: “I am happy to have Allan back, it is really important for us in this period, the consistency of the team is going to improve [as a result].

“Allan can add more intensity, more concentration defensively, but Tom Davies, who replaced him most of the time, did really well.

“It is important to have all the squad available and we are close to having all the players fit.

“We can rotate a little bit and keep everyone fresh.”

Everton, who are seventh in the table with 37 points, will draw level with sixth-placed Liverpool with a win having played a game fewer than the champions.