21 October 2023 , 07:15
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Steve McManaman may have made 272 appearances for Liverpool but the boyhood Evertonian knows all about the demands that come from the blue half of Merseyside.
Before his breakthrough at Anfield, the former winger attended many of the big derbies as a fan - he was at the FA Cup finals in 1986 and 1989 and inherited a childhood love for Everton from his dad.
So he has always had a good grasp of what is demanded by the supporters and last season’s drab showing at Anfield was just not good enough.
The Merseyside derby is live exclusively on today and Liverpool are overwhelming favourites but McManaman believes Everton’s senior players must show more desire than displayed in this fixture last season, which ended with the Reds winning 2-0.
And while the uncertain ownership situation drags on at Goodison Park, he says that is no excuse for the players entering a fixture that has seen the blue half of Merseyside triumph only once since 2010.
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He said: “It shouldn’t be an issue because you’re playing for your pride. It’s a problem for the club and no one knows what the financial implications are or what the real story is.
“But for the players? No issue at all. You have to just go and break the record. Liverpool have been dominant at home but it’s up to Everton and the experienced players to drag the team with them and get the right result.
“It’s not hard when you’re talking about football. When you’re going through hard times, you need to go out and win. If you are to lose, go out fighting and give everything you’ve got. Last season Everton were disappointing and Liverpool won comfortably. That has to change.”
Yet asked if it is too easy to predict a straightforward three points for Jurgen Klopp's side at lunchtime, McManaman added that the timing of the game could allow Everton an opportunity to pounce.
He said: "It’s simple to look at that way but Everton will make it difficult and coming from an international break throws another tangible factor in.
"But they are big favourites to win. Of course, it’s a derby but in recent years when you see Liverpool at home, they are dominant and have won quite comfortably. People coming back late from internationals, the game being the early game again, could be an opportunity for Everton."
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