Carlo Ancelotti has warned Everton must produce ‘a perfect game’ against Liverpool.
Ancelotti takes charge of his first Merseyside derby in this weekend’s FA Cup third round clash as the Blues aim to end a 21-year wait for a win at Anfield.
The Champions League-winning coach got the better of the Reds on seven occasions and has already beaten them with Napoli earlier this season.
But Ancelotti is under no illusions about what his side must do if they are to stand a chance of recording a first derby victory in over a decade on Sunday.
He said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity. It will be difficult, this is normal, but you can do your best only if you are focussed and playing without fear.
“The best way to approach this game is to be focussed on what you are going to do on the pitch and nothing else. How you have to defend and how you have to attack.
“You have to produce a great performance, a normal performance is not enough against them.
“Everything has to be perfect – no mistakes, work hard, intensity – the game has to be complete.”