Everton v Liverpool - Saturday 3rd Sept 2022

Good afternoon.

We’re excited to be back at Goodison Park to round off a busy week that began with two away games in the space of four days — and for a match that needs no introduction.

The Merseyside derby is one of the biggest games in football. Nobody in our group needs reminding of what this historic fixture means to you, the people of this city and supporters around the world.

We head into it on the back of consecutive 1-1 draws on the road — against Brentford and Leeds United — a pair of performances full of character and discipline that, on reflection, could and possibly should have returned more in the way of points.

With that said, they were games that could have easily got away from us last season and I was extremely proud of the battling spirit the team showed to grind out results away from home.

We know we’re in a process of rebuilding and I must underline we will get better. We want to be on the ball more, we want to be braver and play through the lines more but that takes time and, in the meantime, we must show the foundations we’ve set in every single game.

Those foundations are passion, desire, fighting for the badge, an appreciation of what it means to be an Everton player and relishing that privileged position.

The appreciation of the travelling supporters at the Gtech Community Stadium and Elland Road at the end of both games was nothing short of incredible.

I keep saying it but it’s important to reiterate just how much of an impact your unwavering support continues to have on what happens on the pitch. Having experienced it on the pitch and in the dugout, it’s impossible not to be affected by the support Evertonians show for their team. It gives you that extra burst of energy when you’re tired, the bravery when momentum swings against you and the desire to go in harder to that tackle.

I’m delighted with how the summer signings have quickly picked up on that and harnessed it, too, adding to a group that is desperate to help our football club succeed.

Our last match against Leeds United saw us switch formation to a 4-3-3 for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Mason Holgate becoming the third centre-back to pick up a significant injury this season, but, as well as that, I was keen to get an extra body in midfield. I was very pleased with the way we used that advantage on and off the ball on the night.

I have to give huge credit to the players for executing what we wanted from them in the very short window we had following the Brentford match.

At the end of last season, we played five at the back and it helped us to stay in the Premier League. Now we want to move forward, so we’ll keep looking at it and having the versatility within the group is a good thing for us.

We welcome Jurgen Klopp and the staff and players of Liverpool.

We’re under no illusions at the size of the task we face against a team who have been consistently competing for domestic and continental honours in recent seasons.

Their style is established and clear. They are relentless in and out of possession and, for starters, we have to be ready to match their energy all over the pitch.

It’s a challenge that excites us and one we’ll absolutely meet head on.

At the time of writing, we've just secured our seventh summer signing, Idrissa Gana Gueye. We’re delighted to add Gana, someone who knows the Club inside-out, to our group.

He adds invaluable experience to a relatively young squad and will be a massive help to the likes of Amadou Onana, who is a young leader in his own right, in maximising his huge potential.

I am very pleased with the business we have managed to do over the summer. It has been a collective, joined-up effort between myself, Kevin Thelwell, the owner, Chairman and Board and I am grateful for all of their support.

Now, thankfully, the window has closed. No more distractions. We can concentrate on what matters — the football and picking up points, starting with a big occasion today.

Enjoy the game,

Frank

Everton FC