Everton manager Sam Allardyce has urged his side to be "fearless" during Sunday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield.
No Premier League team has scored more goals than Liverpool across all competitions so far this season, with Jurgen Klopp's side going into the derby off the back of a 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow in midweek.
The Toffees have shown improved form of their own in recent weeks to climb into the top half of the table, though, and Allardyce is confident that his side can pull off an upset against their local rivals in his first taste of the derby.
"The Merseyside derby is unique in terms of its history and atmosphere, and therefore the key to success at Anfield this weekend is being able to cope with the pressure that comes with a match and occasion of this magnitude. Having the right mentality is everything," he wrote in a column for ESPN.
"We need to be strong and fearless, stick together as a team, and believe in our own capabilities. Liverpool are probably in their best form since Jurgen Klopp arrived at the club, and they also boast one of the best strike forces around.
"If we show any fear, Liverpool will take advantage of that. But if we show a positive attitude in terms of what we intend to do and how we intend to do it, we believe we can get the positive result that would mean so much to all Evertonians. This is a one-off game, and whilst there is no denying Liverpool are playing well at the moment, it's a local derby where anything can happen.
"All we can ask of the players is to give their best, play their best game and let's see where it takes us. After three straight wins and three clean sheets, the mood in the camp is really buoyant. If we could manage to make it four wins on the bounce, it would put smiles on the faces of everyone in the blue half of Merseyside."
Everton have not beaten Liverpool at Anfield since 1999 and are winless in the last 14 meetings home and away.
Barney Corkhill
