KOEMAN OUT TO PULL OFF CLASSIC COUP

RONALD KOEMAN will head into the Merseyside derby trying to pull off the difficult task of halting a miserable Everton run.

And straight after, he will attempt what many are suggesting is mission impossible... persuading his brightest young stars Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley to commit their long-term futures to the club.

The Blues go into the showdown against bitter rivals Liverpool with just one win to their name from the last 19 league clashes. But in his first derby, Koeman brings a wealth of experience from perhaps the biggest rivalry of all – the El Clasico of Barcelona-Real Madrid. “I have a lot of good memories from that. In my first Clasico I scored two goals, two penalties,” he explained.

“That was really fantastic because we won the game 2-1 and another time we won 5-0 at home to Madrid.

“I scored a great freekick in that game so that is a nice memory. I know I won more than one out of 19 Clasicos and we need to change our record against Liverpool.”

Koeman looks to be on a loser, however in trying to persuade Lukaku and Barkley to stay.

The Goodison boss (above with Lukaku) – who nailed down veteran performers Gareth Barry and Leighton Baines on new deals yesterday – said: “It is not the priority at the moment but in the new year, yes.

“We will analyse the squad and see what we need to be strong.”