Everton face Merseyside rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Former Premier League midfielder George Boateng has told Sky Sports that he believes the appointment of Sam Allardyce at Everton could boost the Toffees’ chances in the Merseyside derby.
The Toffees travel across Merseyside on Sunday afternoon as they go up against Liverpool at Anfield, in what will be an intriguing game with Jurgen Klopp’s side in explosive form that has seen them score 25 goals in their last eight outings.
However, Everton’s recent resurgence has come about since the appointment of new manager Allardyce. Watching from the stands, the Toffees beat one of Allardyce’s former sides West Ham 4-0 before beating Huddersfield in his first game.
Now, the two sides go head to head with their tails up on Sunday, after they both partake in their European duties. Liverpool first take on Spartak Moscow, while Everton face Apollon Limassol.
Boateng believes the appointment of Allardyce will have given Everton a lift and believes that motivated the Toffees squad against West Ham, stating that it could help them against Liverpool on Sunday.
“Well, it is always good to have a new manager in before such a massive game,” Boateng said. “History tells us that when a team gets a new manager, their first couple of games they seem to lift themselves up.
“They seem to perform better. I’m not saying because Allardyce was in the stands, Rooney pulled out a hat-trick. But I’m sure there was some form of motivation there. I look forward to see how Everton will set themselves up against a free-flowing Liverpool.”
Everton have propelled up the Premier League to tenth position following their two league wins, dismissing early talk over a possible relegation fight come May 2018.
The Toffees will have to overcome a dismal record if they are to beat Liverpool, which has seen the Blues lose their last three games against the Reds – failing to earn a win since October 2010, 14 meetings ago.
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