Sigurdsson knows the importance of the Merseyside Derby

Everton’s record signing over the summer of 2017 has only started scraping the surface of his abilities, and has managed to find the net twice in a week recently. He’s been at the club barely a few months, but has already had it explained to him how important the Anfield leg of the Merseyside Derby and the corresponding return fixture are.

“It’s the first game you look at as an Everton player, so me and all the players are looking forward to it.

“All the lads know that. Myself, being from Iceland, we know how much it means to the Club and to the fans, so I think everyone is aware of the importance of this game.

“If we can build on what we have been doing over the past couple of weeks then it would be great to continue that run with another positive result on Sunday.”

The midfield general knows he’s going to have to keep up his current form and work rate as the Blues visit Liverpool looking to turn around a horrendous run that has last seen Everton win at Anfield in 1999.

“I think we need to do what we have done in the last couple of games and keep a clean sheet. Their strength lies in their attack.

"I think we have to take our chances when we get them and carry on creating chances and scoring goals like we have done in the last couple of games.

"But it doesn’t matter how, as long as we get a good result I’ll be happy.

“The wins (against West Ham United and Huddersfield Town) have certainly brightened up the mood around the training ground. We are still in a position that the Club doesn’t want to be in but we are moving in the right direction.”

Again, few Toffees are expecting a win later today after the way this season has gone, but an honest and hardworking performance is just about all we are asking for in the Derby, to start.