Goalkeeper Harry Tyrer has revealed Everton Under-23s’ collective determination to kickstart their Premier League 2 campaign with a victory over Leicester City on Monday night, as he explained how training regularly with the Blues’ First Team has accelerated his development.
David Unsworth’s Under-23s side take on the Foxes at Southport FC’s Pure Stadium (7pm) aiming to deliver an immediate response following a Merseyside derby defeat in their opening game of the season.
Everton were edged out 1-0 by Liverpool and Tyrer admits the young Blues did not perform to the required standard against their city rivals.
Leicester head into the game following an impressive 2-0 win at Manchester United in their 2020/21 curtain-raiser, but Tyrer is confident the Toffees possess the quality and resolve to collect maximum points.
“There’s a hunger to bounce back straight away,” said lifelong Evertonian Tyrer.
“You never want to lose a Merseyside derby. It hurt all of us.
“Our heads were down after the game but we have to respond in the right way and learn from our mistakes.
“We’re all together and we’re all going to work for each other – that’s what any Everton side should do. We need to make sure we get a good result against Leicester.
“We’ve got so much talent in the Under-23s squad. There are some top attacking players and I’ve got some great defenders in front of me.
“I don’t have any doubts we can have a good season.”
Tyrer has routinely been part of training sessions with Carlo Ancelotti’s First Team and started Everton’s pre-season friendly match against Preston North End at Goodison Park earlier this month.
The 18-year-old impressed in a 2-0 Everton win, making some smart saves and helping to set up Toffees attacks with his intelligent, accurate distribution.
Boss Ancelotti commented: “Harry did really well. With his feet, he made really good passes, we built up really well from him.”
Tyrer says the Italian’s words made him “very proud”.
“I was quite nervous before the game,” he added.
“But I settled in quickly, I made a few good saves and my confidence grew after that. I felt confident when playing out from the back, that the players trusted me.
“I’ve learned a lot from Carlo and the coaches - especially [goalkeeping coach] Alan Kelly - about how the manager wants his goalkeepers to play.
“There are patterns of play the manager wants us to impose on the game, how we can beat the other team’s press. I’ve taken notes on that and took it into the game against Preston.
“I hopefully showed him that, what he’s teaching, I’m taking in and learning.”
Tyrer says his transition to training with the First Team was aided significantly by the presence of Kelly – “he’s a great man and a great coach” – having previously worked with the Irishman in the Everton Under-23s set-up.
Tyrer, who signed his first professional contract with the Club earlier this year, also paid tribute to First-Team stoppers Jordan Pickford, Jonas Lossl and Joao Virginia for providing expert guidance on what is required as an elite-level goalkeeper.
“They are a very supportive group,” the teenager explained.
“They are top international goalkeepers. They are always there trying to help and give me confidence.
“Jordan, of course, is Everton’s number one and England’s number one but he gives tips all the time, on things like positioning and distribution.
“Facing shots from such brilliant players in the First Team is a test, too, but that test is what you need as a young keeper.
“You gain experience in anticipating how great players are going to shoot from their body shapes.
“When you face top-quality players, even if they score past you, you can improve a lot.”
