Michael Ball sends bold message to Everton players ahead of Merseyside derby
Michael Ball has told the Everton players to go out there on Wednesday night against Liverpool and prove that they are willing to fight for the shirt.
The former Toffees man was writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, and he emphasised the importance of the derby.
He also believes that they should use Jurgen Klopp’s words as motivation as he thinks the Liverpool boss is trying to get in the referee’s head ahead of the game by talking about how physical the games are.
He said: “The Merseyside Derby is a huge opportunity to get the season back on track and get smiles back on Blues’ faces.
“Those players who I’ve said have lacked the will to win and were spineless and toothless at Brentford should have the words of myself and others pinned up on the dressing room and told to go out and prove us wrong.
“If you want those fans to start cheering you on, you’ve got a massive opportunity in front of a packed house at Goodison Park full of supporters who would give everything to be there on the pitch themselves.
“You can’t be negative at all. Jurgen Klopp has already come out and started talking about how he’s worried about the derby because of the physicality of it all, trying to get into the referee’s ear by playing mind games already.”
A strong message from Ball.
The Toffees are winless in seven league games and have failed to score in their last three.
They need to get a win, but Liverpool are flying and are banging in goals from all over the pitch.
So, the players have to go out and there and at least run themselves into the ground that’s the least they have to do to prove they are willing to fight for the shirt.
Rafael Benitez might set up his side to be difficult to beat, but they have to press in the right areas and not just sit in.
If they do sit in, you would imagine that Goodison Park will let the manager and the players know their feelings, and it could turn toxic.
Hopefully, the players deliver a performance worthy of their fantastic supporters; however, given the way they have been playing lately, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Reds walk away with three points.
In other Everton news, Darren Bent has had his say on Benitez’s future.
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