adminLONDON. — Everton’s defensive woes are cause for concern but manager Roberto Martinez is hoping his porous side will paper over the cracks against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield tomorrow.
Fourteenth-placed Everton have shipped 17 goals after seven matches in all competitions this season, the most since the 1994-95 campaign when Mike Walker’s side let in 18 goals after seven games.
The same backline conceded 39 goals in the Premier League last season and the Everton boss believes it is only a matter of time before his side are a defensive force once again.
“We haven’t made any major changes in those places of the team. The focus as a team to defend has to be better,” Martinez said yesterday.
“It’s clearly an area that we need to resolve in the coming weeks. The performances have got better.”
Everton have not won a Merseyside derby in four years, but Martinez has reason for optimism as fierce rivals Liverpool have also started the season in lacklustre fashion, managing six points from their first five games.
Martinez’s side head to Anfield on the back of a 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace – an exact repeat of the victory the south Londoners managed at Goodison Park in April.
“The defeat against Crystal Palace, there was something spooky about it,” Martinez added.
“The last time we beat Liverpool at Anfield was September 27 so I hope the spookiness carries on at the weekend.”— Reuters
Online Reporter