Frank Lampard insists his team must match intensity and passion of Evertonians when the Blues contest Saturday’s 241st Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, as he declared it is time “get to work and get results” following the closure of the transfer window.
The deadline-day arrivals of midfield duo Idrissa Gana Gueye and James Garner completed Everton’s summer business and Lampard praised the Club’s joined-up, strategic approach to strengthening the squad.
The Blues brought in eight new players during the window, with Lampard outlining how recruiting players with “energy and personality” was a key focus.
The Everton manager is now savouring Saturday’s lunchtime derby showdown and, speaking at his pre-match press conference, explained why it is a game like no other.
“I understand what this game means,” he said.
“I was fortunate enough to take part in a lot of London derbies, but when you’re talking about a city like Liverpool and what it means to both clubs… The city is so 50/50 and it ramps up the intensity of the game and what it means to the fans.
“It’s my first Merseyside derby at Goodison and I’m excited about that fact.
“We’ll have a home crowd behind us before the game and during the game. We have to perform with the same passion they’re going to turn up with.”
On how Everton can overcome the challenge Liverpool will pose, Lampard added: “We’ve got to show work-ethic, togetherness, organisation and spirit.
“We showed that at Leeds and I thought we were very unfortunate not to win the game.
“There are similarities with Leeds and Liverpool, in terms of how they set up and their intensity.
“We have to match that as a baseline. We know they’re a class act on the pitch, and they’ve had a lot of time to work on their identity and style.
“We have been very close to winning games this season and we should have more points. “The feeling is we’re getting better and better. We have to continue with that.
“We understand our strengths and where we can make things difficult for them.”
Lampard explained the specific attributes new-boys Gana and Garner will bring to Everton.
The Blues boss also highlighted the importance of unity at all levels in the Club when identifying and acquiring transfer targets.
He said: “We were very strategic in the way we approached the window, in terms of being a club that’s joined up from the owner, to the Chairman, to the Board, to myself, to [Director of Football] Kevin Thelwell.
“Hopefully that reflects in what we did. When I look at the squad, I’m happy. Now it’s time to get our heads down and work.
“Gana is a player for the now. The Club knows him very well and he knows the Club. In terms of his qualities as a number six or as a number eight – a role he played at PSG a lot – it gives me a great option, great experience, and a different profile of player to what we had.
“With James Garner, he’s a young player with a lot of energy and a lot of quality.
“I think it’s a good example of us trying to move forward in a sensible direction, improving the core of the team in midfield and getting energy in there, as well as quality. Now we’ve got good competition there as well and that’s important over the course of a long season.”
Lampard added: “The window is shut and the squad is together, now it really begins in terms of what we can improve in our style of play.
“There were two things I really wanted to improve – the energy of the team, particularly in central midfield, and [adding] personality.
“When you look at the players we’ve brought in… Some are very experienced and have a real vocal presence and professionalism, which affects the group. That’s why I’m happy with how we’ve recruited.
“Results now are the key, and we get to work now.”
