Everton boss Sean Dyche talked up the importance of winning individual battles on Wednesday.

The Toffees are hosting Liverpool in the Merseyside derby in the Premier League.

While one team is battling for the title, the Toffees are busy trying to avoid relegation.

“It's an old-fashioned term, but win your headers, win your tackles and win your races," said Dyche in Tuesday's press conference held at Finch Farm. "That used to be a big thing when I was playing and it's still kind of there, really. That's your own individual moment in a game when you are dealing with whoever you are playing against.

“That's for every position. You can win your battles in a different way. If you are a center forward, you might win it with your cleverness, rather than your physicality. So you know there are different ways to win your battles.

“I don't think that goes anywhere other than the start point of a team game. You have to know what your role is against that player, but also your covering role as part of a team unit. So, therefore, rather than worry about each battle, there has to also be connectivity with the team. That's where the shape becomes important, the tactics and the delivery of a physical performance to cover the ground needed.

“You want those individual battles for each player to also connect as a team. If you get that right you have a better chance of getting what you want which is to win."

“I'm well aware of all the records people keep telling me and all the rest of it," added Dyche on the team not winning against the Reds at home since 2010.

"But you know, I am looking forward to the game. It's a game, and derbies are the game for the people where they live. I didn't grow up here so I won't have that depth of understanding.

“What I do understand, is how important it is to be Everton's manager, that is for sure. In all games, and in particular this one for the obvious reason."