Frank Lampard says Everton’s gameplan for Sunday’s 240th Merseyside derby will be underpinned by “passion, fight and desire”.
Those fundamental qualities, says Lampard, create the base for multiple additional factors that must fall into place for Everton to repeat last season's success at Anfield.
Naturally, given Everton are preparing to tackle the Premier League’s leading scorers – Liverpool have 83 goals from 32 matches – Lampard emphasised the imperative of disciplined and resolute defending.
The Everton manager – who rebutted suggestions Burnley’s victory over Southampton on Thursday heightened pressure on his team – additionally outlined the importance of his players marrying courage in possession with clinical finishing this weekend.
Lampard is preparing for his first taste of this 127-year-old fixture. He played more games against Liverpool than any other opponent in a richly-decorated playing career – winning 21 and losing 17 of 47 encounters – nonetheless, and as a child of the '80s, grew up when the country ground to a standstill to watch Everton tackle Liverpool.
“It is a huge fixture and I am very proud to be managing this football club and going into a game this size,” said Lampard, who insisted his side would not stray the wrong side of the law in a bid to unsettle their hosts.
“I have watched it from afar many times and marvelled at the atmosphere and history of the game, so I am very happy to be involved.
“This game is a one-off, it brings different energy.
“The reality is, we are going up against one of the best teams in the world, on current form.
“We will prepare as we always do, with an idea of how we want to play.
“I expect passion, fight and desire, there is not a gameplan that will work without those things. Especially in a game of this size and type.
“The first thing is to do well defensively, you are never safe against Liverpool.
“They can always give you problems, whether forcing pressure or on the counter-attack.
“We have to deal with that, first and foremost, then… when we have the ball, give them problems.
“There won’t be time on the ball, we have to be brave, accept it and play.
“We want to move the ball and have possession… we can’t keep giving it back to Liverpool.
“That is a constant message [to players] and has been since day one.
“Players have to be prepared to take the ball in tight areas and find passes.”
Everton must find a way to breach Liverpool’s miserly backline – they are conceding 0.69 goals per game in the league this term – without first-choice centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The England man remains sidelined with a quadriceps problem, raising the possibility of a first league start for Salomon Rondon since the game at Norwich City on 15 January.
Venezuelan Rondon, signed back in August from Dalian Professional in China, was heavily involved in the last-ditch equaliser against Leicester City on Wednesday after being introduced midway through the second half.
“He is a great option,” began Lampard, who also hailed the versatility, passion and hunger of midweek goalscorer Richarlison.
“Salomon showed the ability to hold up the ball and bring people into play and was involved in the goal.
“He is training well and I know what he can bring. He is a smart player, experienced, has a great work ethic and is very good to have in the squad.
“The front end of the pitch, with everyone fit, has been the busiest part of the team for me to select from.
“Being clinical is important, especially against Liverpool, not many teams go there and create a lot of chances.
“The biggest disappointment against Leicester was that we didn’t take some gilt-edged opportunities.
“We can take confidence, though, from not being at our best but probably deserving to win the game on chances.
“It shows what we can do if we have that spirit and togetherness.”
That spirit, insists Lampard, will not spill over into roughhouse tactics against Liverpool.
Instead, the manager wants a repeat of the controlled aggression that accounted for Manchester United a fortnight ago.
Equally, Lampard is content to cross Stanley Park as “underdogs” given “where Liverpool are in their process and where we are”.
And Lampard’s clarity over Everton’s situation enables a calm perspective on Burnley closing within one point of his team in 17th position.
“We can’t gauge our mindset on other results, it is the worst thing you can do in this situation,” added Lampard, speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“You have to expect teams to win games.
“Everyone is fighting, so it is a case of focusing on ourselves.
“We have to fight to the last minute in this game, no matter what happens.
“We expect the players to be mature and committed and understand they have to stay on the right side of the line for the benefit of the team.
“To go to Anfield and get a result is difficult enough, with 10-men it is nigh-on impossible.
“The players must be physical but stay on the right side of the law, as we always do.
“I expect that from Liverpool, too and hope the referee sees that.”
