Former Everton defender Joleon Lescott has sent an honest message to Everton and Rafa Bennitez ahead of the Merseyside Derby.
The Blues' current poor run of form has seen the team go without a win since September, picking up two points in their last seven games.
Lescott spent three years at Everton under David Moyes, with his own Merseyside Derby record standing at one win, two draws, and three defeats in the Premier League.
However, the 39-year-old has said Benitez is “under massive pressure” heading into Wednesday’s game at Goodison.
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“This bad run has prompted talk about Rafa’s future and I do think a bad result — or more specifically, a bad performance — against Liverpool could spell serious trouble for him,” Lescott told Livescore .
“Results are one part of it — and two points from seven games is a bad run by any club’s standards.
“But the main worry for me has been the manner of some of those defeats against sides they really should be beating.
“To see promoted teams in Watford and Brentford not only beat them but dominate large spells of those encounters is simply not acceptable for a club of Everton’s stature.”
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The ex-England international scored against Liverpool in the FA Cup in 2009, before Everton recorded a memorable 1-0 victory in the replay at Goodison, courtesy of Dan Gosling’s extra time winner.
Understanding the importance of the rivalry, Lescott does concede that Benitez’s fortunes have been hampered by injury.
The Toffees started the season brightly, before being hit with a number of key injuries that has coincided with the side’s drop in performance levels.
“Injuries have had a huge impact but that will happen to most Premier League sides at some point in a season,” he said.
“Where Everton have been particularly unlucky is with the importance of the players who have been sidelined.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Richarlison, Yerry Mina… trying to cover for them is tough and the fringe players who have stepped in simply haven’t been able to produce.
“On the other hand, if you were going to pick one game to turn things around then springing a surprise against your arch-rivals is as good as it gets.”
