MY ACCOUNT
Everton do not need a miracle to extend their stay in the Premier League — but they may well require something special.
The Toffees find themselves in a sticky situation currently sat two points from safety, though they do at least have a game in hand on their relegation rivals.
Frank Lampard will at least have been encouraged by his team’s performance in last weekend’s Merseyside derby, when they nullified Liverpool for much of the game with a tactic right out of the Jose Mourinho playbook.
Ahead of Lampard’s reunion with former club Chelsea this afternoon, we take a look at how a tactic made famous during his playing days at Stamford Bridge could keep Everton in the top flight
Pragmatic approach
Everton could not make the short trip to Anfield and look to play football. After all, Manchester United had tried it five days earlier and returned to Old Trafford having lost 4-0.
Lampard acknowledged as much in his post-match interview.
The 43-year-old said: “We are not in a position to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool.”
Instead, Everton looked to frustrate the hosts.
“The game plan was understanding that they are one of the best teams in the world, with what they are doing to other teams,” Lampard continued.
“We wanted to be disciplined and to create chances. We had a couple of opportunities; the first half was good and we started the second half well.”
The Toffees can use that first hour at Anfield as a blueprint in terms of how to set up for the rest of their matches this season.
Dominate the space, not the ball
Liverpool finished the match against Everton with 82.4% possession — and they attempted 787 passes compared to the away side’s total of 173.
On paper, it was complete domination by the hosts.
However, the Reds had sterile possession for large periods. They moved the ball but not the opposition and played where Everton allowed them to play.
Lampard’s men did a superb job controlling the space and limiting arguably the best team in the league to half-chances. Do that against lesser opponents and a clean sheet is likely to be on the cards.
Defend your box
In the opening 45 minutes at Anfield, Liverpool had just three shots and none of them worked goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. In fact, just one effort arrived from a decent position in the area.
Everton defended their box resolutely. They shut down Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right and limited what Thiago Alcantara could do from the Liverpool left.
Sir Alex Ferguson once said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”
In Everton’s case, their attack may win them matches but it is a more resolute defence which will keep them in the Premier League.
A clean sheet guarantees a point and is a solid platform for the Toffees to build upon.
Playing to your strengths
Everton have players who are perfect for a counter-attacking system, too.
With the likes of Richarlison, Demarai Gray, Anthony Gordon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they have the personnel to hit teams on the break in devastating fashion.
The Merseysiders have the individuals needed to hold up the ball when sent long, but also those who can carry it through the thirds at great speed under intense pressure.
Gordon, for example, caused Liverpool a number of problems last Sunday with his directness. He won free-kicks for Everton in dangerous areas and on another day could easily have won a penalty.
And this was against a team set up to deal with these issues, with Liverpool rarely struggling to contain a player like they did with 21-year-old Gordon.
Let him do that against other clubs and it will create plenty of opportunities.
Results over performances
At this stage of the campaign, it is a results-based business and performances simply do not matter. Everton need points on the board and how they get them is irrelevant.
Though it is not the easiest on the eye, this sort of football has proven to be effective.
Lampard’s former boss Mourinho won countless trophies with a defence-first approach, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side regularly upset the odds playing a similar way.
This could be a quick fix for Everton that turns into a long-term solution.
