Mignolet wants Liverpool to deliver ‘total package’ against Everton

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has warned Liverpool have to “deliver the total package” to maintain their winning run in the Merseyside derby.

Everton arrive today having failed to win at Anfield since 1999.

In fact, they have not won any of the past 13 Premier League matches at either ground since the 2-0 success in 2010.

Everton have been rejuvenated since Sam Allardyce was brought in as new manager last week with three back-to-back wins, but Liverpool are currently on a different level.

Their 7-0 Uefa Champions League demolition of Spartak Moscow on Wednesday made it 32 goals in nine games in all competitions since the loss at Tottenham Hotspur – their last defeat – with five Premier League wins and a draw during that time.

Liverpool’s front four of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho are all in top form and Mignolet said they need to maintain that this weekend if they are to maintain their momentum.

“We are in a good moment. We had a good result in the week but that was only about getting ourselves qualified,” he said.

“We scored five goals away from home against Brighton and seven against Spartak but this weekend it will be a totally different game.

“We have to prove ourselves again to try to win the derby.

“We’ve always had good results at home against Everton but now the fact Sam Allardyce has just arrived means it will be a different fixture.

“I think Sam will be set up to make it very difficult - he knows how important the derby will be – so it will be a different fixture from a couple of weeks ago.

“We have to deliver the total package again to make sure we score goals like we are at the moment but at the other end be solid at the back.”

As for their opponents today, Ademola Lookman has assured new Everton manager Allardyce he is ready to seize any opportunity afforded him ahead of the Merseyside derby.

The 20-year-old Everton winger staked his claim to be involved against Liverpool with a first-half double in Cyprus on Thursday night, when a team led by Craig Shakespeare and Duncan Ferguson beat Apollon Limassol 3-0.

A long-standing medical appointment meant Allardyce had remained at home along with the bulk of the squad he will take to Anfield, but Lookman’s impressive performance will have given him some food for thought over his possible role in the line-up.

Lookman’s double in Nicosia, the second a sweet strike from distance, has imbued him with confidence ahead of the hectic festive period of games.

“I believe in my ability. I know what I can do,” Lookman said. It’s always good to play and enjoy your football and I did that on Thursday, hopefully it showed.

“[The Liverpool game] is out of my control. I can only do what I do on the football pitch. Once I get my opportunity I will take it.”