Sean Dyche has reiterated that his approach for Everton’s historic Merseyside derby against Liverpool will not change, despite the emotional weight of the occasion. The Blues manager, who guided his team to a memorable victory over their rivals at Goodison Park last April, is focused on maintaining consistency, especially following their crucial 1-0 win over Wolves.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, which could be the final derby played at Goodison Park, Dyche remarked, “I shouldn’t have to tell them to be up for it.” He stressed that the players understand the magnitude of the fixture, many of whom have been at the club longer than him. Dyche believes that the emotional intensity of the game will naturally fuel the team and that there is no need to overstate its importance.
“We focus on consistency in our approach,” Dyche explained. “The emotion of the occasion will come through naturally, given the history of the club and the passion of the fans. I don’t need to remind them to be motivated—it’s already there.” He emphasized that the key to success in the derby is sticking to their tactical principles and not letting the emotions of the day disrupt their game plan, as they did successfully in last season’s matches.
The upcoming derby comes on the back of a vital 4-0 win over Wolves, which alleviated some of the pressure on Dyche and the team after a challenging start to the season. The result was Everton’s third Premier League victory of the campaign and moved them five points clear of the relegation zone, giving them a much-needed boost.
Although the win over Wolves hasn’t completely dispelled concerns about the team’s form, it has given Dyche’s side momentum heading into what could be their last league derby at Goodison. Reflecting on the significance of another home win, Dyche stated that any triumph would be dedicated to the supporters.
When asked about the legacy of a second home derby win, Dyche said: “If we can do it, it’s for the fans, not for me. It would be an honor for me as a manager, but it’s more about them. These fans have been coming here for decades, and if we can give them another memorable moment, it becomes part of their history. Of course, it means something to me too, but I don’t have the long history with the club that they do.” He added, “This is for the fans, but I do take pride in playing my part.”
