Bernard says Everton are “100 per cent focussed” on channelling their Merseyside derby disappointment into a forceful performance against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
The Blues will be aiming for a fifth straight Premier League home win against Rafael Benitez’s side – an outcome which would represent a welcome antidote to the blow of conceding late in Sunday’s game at Anfield.
Everton slugged it out on equal terms with a Liverpool team which is second in the Premier League and yet to lose this season.
Indeed, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Theo Walcott all had presentable chances to put Marco Silva’s side in front before substitute Divock Origi’s cruel intervention six minutes into stoppage time.
Bernard embodied Everton’s effort in both halves of the pitch. He struck 13 accurate passes in Liverpool territory and his quick feet twice suckered opponents into conceding free-kicks in dangerous positions. The Brazilian worked back to make three tackles, complete three clearances and recover possession for his side on seven occasions.
“We played a great game and both teams had opportunities… the result is really disappointing given how we played,” Bernard told evertontv.
“It is a really sad result because we deserved that point.
“But the focus [on the next match] begins as soon as we finish the previous game, it starts immediately.
“We have been playing well, we are really dedicated and we have been putting in the effort every day.
“We need to focus on our food, on sleeping properly and on our recovery period, so we are 100 per cent focussed on Wednesday.
“The other teams know how strong we are at home, so we have to be prepared.”
Bernard, signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in August, was starting only his seventh Premier League match at Liverpool, while he was joined in Everton’s team by four more players who have arrived since Silva’s summer appointment as boss.
The Toffees’ display, however, served to underline how rapidly this cosmopolitan side – the starting XI at Anfield was populated entirely by full internationals and featured players from eight different countries – is coming together in its ambitious manager’s image.
Everton have not suffered by comparison with any team they have encountered from the Premier League’s top bracket this season – and will soon have further opportunities to pit their wits against title contenders, with games against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur following home meetings with Newcastle and Watford.
Newcastle will travel to Goodison after their recent positive run of form was checked by West Ham United on Saturday. The north east side have nevertheless climbed away from the bottom three, while Everton are in sixth place, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.
“Without a doubt, Everton have always belonged among the top teams when you take into account their history and titles,” said Bernard.
“We should be going into those games [against sides challenging at the top of the division] with no fear and playing our way, imposing ourselves on the opposition and aiming for the victory.
“That is what we did against Liverpool and it would have been good to come back with a point.
“We have been working on the instructions Marco Silva gives us and, hopefully, we will develop further and get better and impose ourselves on other teams – and get the points [we deserve] and aim high in the Premier League this season.”
