Everton looking for another major scalp to compound Liverpool misery

MANCHESTER, England : Life as Everton coach could not have got off to a better start for Sean Dyche but all eyes will be on Anfield in the latest round of Premier League fixtures as Liverpool host their Merseyside rivals looking to bring them back down to earth.

Hoping to build on their 1-0 victory over league leaders Arsenal last weekend on Dyche's first outing in the Everton hotseat, it does not get easier for the new boss with Liverpool up next.

The only consolation for Dyche is that this version of Liverpool is a shadow of the side who went so close to an unprecedented quadruple of trophies last term.

Most experts tipped Liverpool to be Manchester City's nearest challengers for the title this season, but Juergen Klopp's side find themselves languishing down in 10th in the standings.

Liverpool's recent form has been woeful. The Reds are winless in four league games in 2023, netting just one goal so far. Only once in the Premier League era have they had a longer winless run at the start of a calendar year.

Klopp's team have in fact failed to score in their last three league games, as many times as in their previous 65 matches combined.

The omens ahead of Monday's derby are not good, as Liverpool last went four league games without a goal from December 2020 to January 2021, with the fourth game in that run a 1-0 home defeat to Dyche's Burnley.

"Arsenal was a platform for the players to see the expectation, no matter who you are. No matter what style of player you are," Dyche told Everton TV this week.

"Some of the blocking and tackling… I think we doubled our tackles against them. That's a good sign that the players are at it. They want more."

Arsenal could be 24 points clear of Liverpool come Saturday evening if they get back