Unsworth disappointed as Everton youngsters fail Koeman auditionBlues boss was watching on as under-23s slipped to mini-derby defeatDavid Unsworth has expressed his disappointment after Everton ’s under-23s failed to impress in front of the watching Ronald Koeman.
The Everton manager was in the stands at Prenton Park today to run the rule over the second string for the first time this season.
But the young Blues were below par in the 2-0 defeat as second-half goals from Brooks Lennon and Harry Wilson inflicted a second league defeat of the campaign on the Premier League 2 leaders.
Koeman watched the game alongside director of football Steve Walsh and first-team coach Duncan Ferguson and Unsworth couldn’t hide his disappointment after his players failed to grasp the chance to make an impression.
“I didn’t tell them he would be here,” Unsworth told the ECHO.
“I knew he was here. I didn’t tell them beforehand and it’s a big disappointment for me today that they haven’t performed in front of him.
“They will get another opportunity somewhere down the line but today was the day to bring your ‘A’ game and unfortunately I don’t think any of our players actually did that.
“In the end, the way the second half went, we got what we deserved.”
Unsworth added: “One bad performance or one good performance doesn’t make a player.
Ben Woodburn of Liverpool and Mason Holgate of Everton in action
“Consistently, this group of players have been fantastic over this season and last season.
“The manager and the staff are well aware what the individual players can do. They are not going to be lambasted for losing a game, they don’t become bad players for losing one game.
“We know we’ve got a lot of quality but unfortunately, on the day, we didn’t perform and that happens.”
Unsworth was left frustrated with several elements of Everton’s play in the opening mini-derby of the season but says Liverpool’s first goal, scored early in the second half, was a major setback.
“The goal straight after half-time was a killer,” he said.
“First and foremost, however, Liverpool are a decent team and we spoke in the week about how this was going to be a tight game.
“And we spoke about keeping things tight but when you concede straight after half-time it is an absolute sucker-punch. It’s a big disappointment and I don’t think we ever got away from that disappointment.
“We went 2-0 down against Reading on Monday but at no point did I think we weren’t going to come back and react from that but I don’t think we got over Liverpool’s first goal. It knocked the stuffing out of us.
Harry Wilson of Liverpool has a shot on goal watched by Everton goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt
“I don’t think we were at our best today and that disappoints me because it was a great occasion to be at their best.”
Unsworth went on to say: “I thought our decision-making was poor. I thought throughout the game it was poor, which is very unlike us.
“I don’t think any of our players can come off there and say ‘I’ve had a really good game’.
“I knew we would have to be at our best to beat a good Liverpool team because Mickey (Michael Beale) has got them going really well.
“We knew it would be tight and we would have to be at our best.”
Liv Echo
