Everton face simple Liverpool reality as Manchester United fate not an option

Every Merseyside Derby matters.

As Everton head to Anfield there have been some suggestions the game may be a 'free hit', that expectations are so low there is little or no pressure on Frank Lampard's side. The players cannot think like this.

Liverpool are all-conquering so far this season, riding their latest high amid impressive wins over both Manchester sides. The form guide offers Everton little comfort and to deny Liverpool are huge favourites would be foolish.

But this game cannot be written off before it has even started. Everton's Premier League survival is, frustratingly, so precarious with seven games to go that every one matters, whoever the opponent.

Every 90 minutes represents an opportunity to pick up valuable points and just like many supporters earmarked the Leicester City game as holding the potential for a crucial win, only to see Everton forced to take solace from a desperately-snatched draw, the games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal could all hold their own surprises.

The simple reality is Everton cannot afford to cave to the form guide and target specific games for the points necessary to stave off relegation, sacrificing others to rest or protect players.

The strongest available first eleven needs to start on Sunday afternoon and they need to give themselves the best chance of a positive result. They have the ability. Now would be a good time to prove that to the world and a fanbase that has endured a miserable campaign.

One of the keys to thwarting Liverpool is gaining a foothold in the early stages of the match. Too often Everton have conceded early goals in recent games. It happened against Burnley and Leicester. The limited threat posed by Manchester United came in the first 25