Everton need to believe they can beat Liverpool, says Sam Allardyce
Last Updated: 06/04/18 7:57pm
Sam Allardyce has challenged his players to "show" what they are all about as they attempt to end a long winless streak against Liverpool in Saturday's Merseyside derby.
Everton will be aiming for their first derby win since 2010, a run that stretches back 16 matches, when they host Liverpool, live on Sky Sports.
Allardyce has beaten Liverpool on six occasions as a manager - with Crystal Palace, West Ham and Bolton - and the former England boss says his players need to believe they can end their derby hoodoo.
"We want to be as big as them one day, but we are not quite there yet," he said. "But we can show what we're all about tomorrow to try to bring a happy weekend for the Evertonian fans.
"Anything can happen in derby matches but nothing has happened too positively in terms of any victories. We were very pleased we got a draw at Anfield (in December) - I think it was my second or third game in charge.
"Really the approach has to be about nullifying [them] like it was then, and about us nullifying their attacking options because the goalscoring ability of Liverpool is their main strength. We have to snuff that main strength out. We have to limit their chances, not just Mo Salah but all across their front three and midfield.
"The players can do it if they really believe it. It's different because it is a derby for me, but playing Liverpool before with other teams I have been with, we have won or drawn.
"We have done that against the big boys on a regular basis so I know how to do it, but the players have got to know how to do it and how to go about it."
