Sam Allardyce insists Everton must be ‘clinical’ in Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
Allardyce travels to Anfield for his first Merseyside derby encounter since becoming the Blues’ new permanent manager at the end of last week.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are in flying form, unbeaten in their previous nine games and boasting a prolific attacking line featuring Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah.
But Allardyce, whose Crystal Palace side stunned Liverpool in April, has called on Everton’s players to keep calm heads and seize what opportunities emerge.
He said: “I’ve been involved in many derbies in my managerial career.
“This is two clubs clashing together with great history, and is unique to the city, unique in derby terms.
“It’s about handling the pressure and atmosphere, and handling a team in the best form since Jurgen Klopp arrived.
“There’s no doubt we have to master that front line before we can think about getting in the right areas.
“It’s about not wasting the possession we get, and not letting the occasion overawe us.
“We need to get the job tactically right. When we get that possession, we know we won’t have as much as Liverpool, but how well will we maximise it and use it in the right manner.
“If we get a chance, when we get a chance, we need to score. We need to be very clinical in our finishing and hopefully it gives us a good performance and result.”
The Everton manager also hinted that his team will be looking to frustrate the free-scoring Reds when they cross Stanley Park this weekend.
“Out of possession, how do we frustrate them? How do we keep the Liverpool fans quiet?”, added Allardyce.
“A lot of information for me to put together to deliver a package to cause them as many problems as possible.
“If they have a high press, then why would we try to play out of the back? You’ll find out on Sunday.
“Playing the right way against Liverpool is what we have to do, it’s what we did at Palace, we played our tactics and they were better than theirs.
“But their natural talent and flair is a concern to us.”