Silva full of confidence ahead of Anfield trip

MARCO SILVA has urged his players to rewrite history rather than pay any attention to the negativity that has engulfed Everton’s season. The Portuguese is battling to keep his job and a heavy defeat at Anfield, where Everton have not won since 1999, could be the final straw. Such a situation could prove intolerable for some individuals but Silva was noticeably positive — and he believes the moment is right for his team. Liverpool have matched a club record of 31 unbeaten league games. Everton, however, were the team who ended that run in 1988, and Silva — who saw forward Richarlison, 22, sign a new five-year deal yesterday — hopes for symmetry. ‘I knew about the 20 years without a win and because of that we have to look to the game as a good opportunity and do something the club didn’t do for 20 years,’ said Silva. ‘It is a tough game. They are in a good moment and are maybe the toughest opponent we can face. ‘I know the derby record in the past did not give us a good feeling but we have to go there and embrace the challenge, enjoy it. We are not in good form but sometimes, in derbies, it is not about form.’ Merseyside derbies have, in recent seasons, tended to be tight games and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not feel there will be any difference to that trend, regardless of Everton’s form. Klopp is content with Liverpool’s season but he has not ruled out the possibility of January additions. Liverpool are interested in Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho but the German boss would not confirm a move was realistic in the near future. ‘He’s a very good player,’ said Klopp. ‘I have no clue where this is coming from, but it cannot come from us because we never speak about it.’