Sean Dyche not convinced there is a good time to face Liverpool
Liverpool may be back in their all too familiar 12.30pm kick-off slot this Saturday, but Everton boss Sean Dyche is not convinced there is a good time to face a team which the Toffees have a terrible record against.
Jurgen Klopp’s side often in 12.30pm kick-off slot
Jurgen Klopp’s side have regularly been placed in the 12.30pm kick-off time after international breaks, with The Athletic reporting that it has happened 13 times since 2016/17, eight more than any other side in the Premier League.
A win over Wolves in September was the first victory in seven matches at that kick-off time as Reds fans started to get a bit flustered about the early starts.
Dyche not taking anything from time of game
Dyche is not taking anything from the time of the game this weekend, though, knowing how difficult it will be for his Everton side against a team they have beaten just once since 2010.
On whether it is a good time to face Liverpool, Dyche said: ‘I’ve been asked that many times, yeah, yeah. Their record is very strong, they’re a very good outfit, we know that. Our record needs changing there, we know that. It’s been a long time with not many wins, but it’s a tough place to go.
‘I don’t think we’ll be listening to the noise around it, we’re trying not to, but there is a lot of noise, rightly so, big game, but it’s more about our focus to get through that and concentrate on our performances. I think generally they’ve been strong, but we are taking on a top side.’
Rigours of schedule for elite clubs
On the rigours of the schedule for elite clubs, he added: ‘The Premier League programme is a challenge. I have had one season with Burnley with Europa. You have to adapt and change your routine for maximum performance.’
Everton have won two of their last three league games
Everton have won two of their last three league games in an improvement in form after a very poor start to the campaign and they will be hoping to repeat that one win they have managed over Liverpool in 13 years.
It came in February 2021 at Anfield, when Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees side beat their local rivals 2-0.
Conclusion
It will be a tough test for Everton this Saturday as they face a Liverpool side that they have struggled to beat in recent years. However, Sean Dyche is confident that his side can put in a strong performance and get the result they are looking for.
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