David Moyes faces a significant test as his Everton side prepares to face Liverpool at Anfield. Despite his personal struggles at Anfield, where he has never secured a win in 20 Premier League visits, the current circumstances offer a glimmer of hope. Everton's positive start to the season, currently sitting sixth in the league, coupled with the injection of new attacking talent, suggests that Moyes might finally have the tools to "loosen the shackles" at Anfield.
The arrival of Jack Grealish on loan has revitalized Everton's forward line. Grealish has quickly become a key player, providing four assists in as many games. His creative spark has been a welcome addition to the team, enhancing their attacking threat. Alongside Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall further bolster Everton's attacking options.
Everton's attacking performance has shown promise. In their recent match against Aston Villa, they created numerous opportunities, registering an expected goals (xG) of 2.08. Although they only managed a goalless draw, the fact that they are consistently creating chances is a positive sign. Grealish, in particular, was instrumental against Villa, manufacturing five chances and demonstrating his ability to unlock defenses.
David Moyes recognizes the difficulty of facing Liverpool, acknowledging their strengths but also highlighting their vulnerabilities. He aims to capitalize on those vulnerabilities, particularly their defensive frailties. Liverpool has shown a tendency to concede goals, even after taking the lead. Their vulnerability on transitions could be exploited by Everton's attacking players.
However, Everton's defense has been weakened by injuries to key players like Jarrad Branthwaite and Vitalii Mykolenko. Whether Mykolenko will be fit to face Liverpool remains to be seen. This defensive instability means that Everton might need to rely on their attack to secure a positive result.
Moyes faces a selection dilemma in attack, with Beto and Thierno Barry vying for a starting position. Beto has scored in his last two matches but missed chances against Aston Villa. Barry, a France Under-21 international, is still seeking his first goal for the club. Moyes must decide whether to stick with Beto's experience or introduce the element of surprise with the less experienced Barry.
Despite the attacking talent at Moyes' disposal, history is against him. He has suffered 27 losses against Liverpool throughout his managerial career. Liverpool also have a habit of scoring late goals. They have secured victories with stoppage-time strikes in several recent matches, indicating their persistence and ability to perform under pressure.
The Merseyside derby is always a significant occasion, and this match comes early in the season, providing an opportunity for Everton to gauge their progress against one of the top teams. A win at Anfield would not only break Moyes' personal hoodoo but also serve as a statement of intent for Everton's ambitions this season.
Ultimately, whether David Moyes can "loosen the shackles" at Anfield will depend on his tactical approach, his team's ability to exploit Liverpool's weaknesses, and their resilience in the face of a formidable opponent.
