Daniel Feliciano

Mon 5 September 2022 19:10, UK

Rio Ferdinand believes Everton should be delighted with the result against Liverpool and believes their transfer window will be enough for them to avoid relegation.

The Toffees drew 0-0 with their local rivals at the weekend in a highly entertaining game, with Jordan Pickford making an “outstanding” save in the final minute to deny Mohamed Salah a late winner.

But after sealing eight first-team signings during the summer transfer window Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five podcast [5 September] that he saw enough in the performance, plus with players to return from injury, that he’s convinced Everton will be alright.

“Frank Lampard said he thought it was an outstanding 0-0 after the game and it was a great 0-0,” he said.

“Woodwork was hit probably four or five times in the game. Had you on the edge of your seat.

“I was there and the atmosphere just felt like the old times again. They showed glimpses.

“They’re going to have a midfield there that’s got legs, it’s got people that want to get on the ball and it’s got a bit of grit in there. Gueye, Onana and whoever plays the holding role, it could be Davies or Garner who they just signed or Allan.

“That midfield there seems like it’s got a nice mix and if he builds around it and you get Dominic Calvert-Lewin they will be alright.

“I thought, before the window shut, I was saying that I was probably a bit concerned looking at the squad. Then he made three signings between that point and the end of the window.

“Gueye and Onana are very good signings for that team. Garner is one whose got a question mark because hasn’t played at this level yet. They’ve kept Gordon and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to come back into the team. They’ve got three centre-backs injured at the moment still.

“I think there’s a lot to come into the team that makes it look a lot rosier.”

Belief

Last season there was a suggestion that the club believed they were too big to get relegated and the performances seemed to show that.

Once Lampard arrived and the realisation that it could definitely happen set in, the fans were phenomenal in getting the team up for games and ultimately they managed to get it over the line and save themselves.

Lampard has now built his squad and made it much stronger, while also keeping hold of two of his best players despite lots of interest.

Everton are without a win this season and yet fans are upbeat because the performances have been encouraging and there is a belief that the club is on the right path under Lampard.

That belief was enough last season and the performances are already better now than they were then, so there’s no surprise with Ferdinand’s prediction and fans will be hoping for the same thing.