Ronald Koeman has warned that Everton must set about ending their dismal record against Liverpool in Monday’s 227th Merseyside derby.
Of their 19 previous encounters with the Anfield club, the Blues have staggeringly won just one of them: a 2-0 win at Goodison Park in October 2010.
But the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side offers the hosts, resurgent from their win over Arsenal in midweek, a chance to redress the balance against thier local rivals.
And Koeman believes that bridging the gulf is imperative for his side next week.
He said: “It’s not good, one [win] out of 19. It’s time to beat them.
“Every time you don’t win the one that you will win comes closer, or not. You need to accept it’s difficult but win the game and make the fans happy.
“The derby is all about the fans, we understand that but we need to be calm and prepare the game in the way we like.
“It’s about preparing the team. You have an emotional part that you need to control – that’s the most important.”