Alan Irvine lifts the lid on what tactic Everton have implemented this season that’s working a treat

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David Moyes has completely reinvented Everton since replacing Sean Dyche in January.

Everton are no longer looking over their shoulders towards the relegation zone, the focus is very much on returning to Europe.

“In the early parts of my career when I was Everton manager, we did get to Europe quite regularly and it has to be, I feel as if it has to be a target for us,” David Moyes said in June.

The Toffees currently reside in sixth place, having picked up a respectable seven points from a possible 12.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
4	BournemouthBournemouth	4	3	0	1	6	5	1	9
5	ChelseaChelsea	4	2	2	0	9	3	6	8
6	EvertonEverton	4	2	1	1	5	3	2	7
7	SunderlandSunderland	4	2	1	1	5	3	2	7
8	Manchester CityManchester City	4	2	0	2	8	4	4	6

Moyes’ assistant Alan Irvine has revealed that they’ve changed a tactic that has really helped them go up a level.

• READ MORE: David Moyes shares the one thing Harrison Armstrong can improve to get into Everton first-team

Alan Irvine says Everton have changed tactics this season

Speaking to The Athletic, Irvine has admitted there is a lot less focus on possession this season as they’re prioritising a different approach.

“We’re getting less overwhelmed about possession and starting to think penetration is surely more important,” Moyes’ assistant said.

“People are becoming more pragmatic. There are less ridiculous goals being scored because of teams trying to play out with players who can’t do it.

“We’d all love to play like Man City have played, but we can’t. You need the players to do it, and if not, you probably have to adapt.”

It’s been working really well as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye, especially, have been able to make more runs in behind the backline.

Jack Grealish has been dropping in to link the play with the midfielders, so there’s a really nice balance at the moment.

Everton will be looking to counter-attack vs Liverpool

It’s the big one this weekend as Everton take on Premier League leaders Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.

The Reds had a pretty exhaustive game with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, so it’s not a bad time to play them.

Moyes’ side will likely set up to counterattack, with Liverpool often playing a very high line, so there will be opportunities to make those penetrative runs in behind.

That may actually suit Beto, more so than Thierno Barry, so the Scotsman may start the former with Ndiaye and Grealish on the wings.

The Toffees have good reason to be confident as it’s perhaps the best shape they’ve been in since the 2020/21 season – when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge.