Frank Lampard praises Nathan Patterson, Vitaliy Mykolenko after impressive display for Everton v Liverpool
Frank Lampard has heaped praise on the Everton full-back duo of Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko for their impressive performances against Liverpool.
The Toffees earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw against their city rivals in the first Merseyside Derby of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.
Lampard was quoted in a report by Daily Mail where he heaped praise on his team’s fullbacks, especially the Ukraine international Mykolenko.
“I’ve got to give a big shout-out to both fullbacks in their own ways,” said Lampard. “With Myko, what he is dealing with off the pitch is something we can’t imagine.
“He carries it unbelievably well when you consider what is going on back home. When I first came in, he had not been here long. My question was does he belong in this league?
“It was to show the reasons why we signed him basically and I’ve just seen him grow, defensively, offensively. Going up against one of the best [in Salah] I thought his one-on-one was outstanding.”
Good result
Everton came into the derby hoping to get anything out of it considering they were winless after the first five matches and that’s precisely what they did as the side managed to earn a point against one of the title contenders.
What was most heartening to see was the performance of the youngsters in the playing XI with the likes of Patterson, Mykolenko, winger Anthony Gordon and midfielder Amadou Onana leaving nothing behind on the pitch.
The fans will be hoping that all four of them along with new signing James Gardner will continue their development and contribute to the team’s cause in the remaining of the season.
Lampard will also be responsible for ensuring that all five players will become regular in the starting XI through consistent performances as all of them, because of their age, can and must serve the club for the good part of the next decade.