Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Sean Dyche’s “instant influence” on Everton by praising the Toffees’ set-piece danger in advance of Monday night’s Merseyside derby

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo published on Sunday, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Sean Dyche’s “instant influence” on Everton by praising the Toffees’ set-piece danger in advance of Monday night’s Merseyside derby.

The way Everton beat league-leading Arsenal 1-0 last weekend was reminiscent of a simpler time. Reminiscent of the David Moyes era, when The Toffees routinely bloodied the noses of the big guys, both in performance and outcome.

A modest act of old-fashioned hard labour created the groundwork for a morale-boosting Everton victory. At Anfield, if Amadou Onana, Dwight McNeil, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and company can continue their current surge in running numbers as they did against the Gunners, Klopp’s floundering team will have a difficult time limiting their Merseyside rivals.

Only once in this century have Everton’s archrivals seen them defeated in their own stadium, and that was nearly exactly two years ago to the day in 2021 when James Rodriguez orchestrated a historic 2-0 triumph.

“This is not a time or situation we want to be in, but it is a time when we can show the club is really special. We have to show that reaction. I’m really looking forward to a derby atmosphere, a proper atmosphere and a proper, proper football game.” 

You couldn’t have scripted it better. Dyche’s first goal in charge at Everton came from a corner kick; one former Burnley favourite (McNeil) assisting another (James Tarkowski). Set-pieces will be very important for us,” Klopp adds.