Liverpool already have the answer to the ‘new’ Everton if Darwin Núñez is ready

Many top teams have struggled with Sean Dyche’s system in recent years, but Darwin Núñez offers the perfect solution for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

As Liverpool saw an end to a 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield in January 2021, it was Sean Dyche in the opposition dugout who captained a Burnley side known for their tenacity who regularly beat the best sides in the league.

It was a game that saw the Reds easily deflect a plethora of crosses from a stiff defence, with the opposition patiently waiting for a mistake before moving on the attack. Jürgen Klopp will run into familiar trouble on Monday night as Everton, buoyed by a 1-0 win over leaders Arsenal, make the short trip to visit Anfield.

If Dyche has proved anything since his first game in charge, it’s that Everton already look like a team that can excel by going back to their roots: a 4-4-2 system built on structure and hard work. Liverpool’s previous struggle with this type of system often came down to a lack of presence in the box. Sure, Roberto Firmino almost defined the bad nine position during his glittering career for the Reds, but as we saw in last season’s clash against Everton, it’s Divock Origi – a better striker – which made the difference.

And that becomes even more important this time around as an out-of-form Liverpool side seek a late attack on the Champions League places. Luckily, this could be the game that brings Darwin Núñez to life.

The Uruguay international has all the elements of his game needed to create problems for James Tarkowski and Conor Coady and it will be up to Everton’s pair of centre-backs to stop him once they are forced back into their box . Núñez’s efforts this season show that he can now play a vital role in derbies as long as the Dyche era continues at Goodison Park, and Klopp will be looking to use him as a target for inbounds from outside the field.

This could also be good for Cody Gakpo, whose height will also foster an approach that will see Liverpool increase their cross tally on Monday night. With a home crowd behind them, in a game where the Reds typically enjoy the majority of attacking runs, there could now be a lot more optimism despite the Toffees’ impressive victory over the Gunners.

Having previously struggled to break down Dyche’s defensive system, Liverpool now have the presence in the penalty area to more often combine crosses from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. the return of several key stars.

And Núñez, who has yet to convince everyone of his value alongside Klopp, could prove to be Liverpool’s main weapon, with the Uruguayan star able to show doubters why his future belongs on Merseyside, leaving Everton for a problem which has been shown to have . I haven’t been able to fix it. A good performance here could prepare him for the next stage of his career at Anfield.