Everton manager Frank Lampard admits he’d take a draw with Liverpool if offered it in his first Merseyside Derby. The relegation-threatened Blues who are just a point above the drop zone go into the fixture 47 points behind their neighbours and without an away win since last August against a side who are unbeaten at home all season.
Everton won 2-0 in the corresponding fixture at Anfield last season – their first victory across Stanley Park since 1999 – but after Richarlison’s stoppage time goal against Leicester City secured what was his first draw in the job, Lampard was asked if he’d accept a share of the spoils against the Blues’ high-flying local rivals. He said: “What do you think?”
Lampard then laughed and added: “Of course, it’s a tough game we’re going into. I make no bones about that. It’s a team that have just put four past Manchester United, I watched the game against Manchester City.
“You have to respect them as a team. It’s a team with incredible players throughout and an incredible squad with options and an incredible manager.
“Let’s just be straight about that and understand it will be a tough match for us so you know the answer to the question.”
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While there’s no such thing as ‘a free hit’ in a Merseyside Derby, no matter the respective positions of the sides, Lampard was also quizzed as to whether a lack of expectation of his side – from outside the club at least – helped Everton going into such a daunting fixture. He said: “Yeah, maybe? I’m not sure what it helps for us in terms of the points that are on offer in this game. We’re playing the strongest team in form terms in the league, there’s no doubt about that.
“So does that give you the idea that not much is expected so if you get something, yeah maybe. You have to use that in a positive way and not use it in a way where if the game turns difficult and things happen in-game, you then let that affect your mindset.
“We have to fight to the last minute no matter what happens in this game and there’s no problem being an underdog, we are the underdogs, it’s clear because of where Liverpool are in the process and where we are but we have to fight, no matter what.”
