Frank Lampard sends Pep Guardiola warning ahead of Man City's trip to Everton

23.02.2022 - 01:37 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Everton boss Frank Lampard says he will do "everything he can" to get a reaction from his players against Manchester City after their defeat to Southampton last weekend.

The recently-appointed Everton boss has enjoyed a positive start to life on Merseyside, winning both of his home games so far.

But the former Chelsea legend will face his toughest test yet when he welcomes City to Goodison Park on Saturday evening.

Speaking to Everton TV, he said he was desperate to see a positive response from his players after their setback against the Saints.

"It’s about belief – and the players need to feel that themselves," he said. "There will be times you’re up against it and, as a group, we need to feel belief.

"It’s not a slant on the group because, when you’ve been losing games, it’s tough to turn that corner as a bad period in a game can remind them of those matches.

"It’s very easy to seep back into the ways of playing the ball longer and the team getting stretched.

"They are the things we [the new coaching team] addressed very quickly when we came in here and, in difficult moments, we’ve seen them come back.

"There is no magic wand to change things instantly and you need to work and focus every day. You’re only as good as how you work and prepare. Until this point, I think we’ve got that right.

"But a game like we’ve had against Southampton is a reminder of why we’re in the position we’re in."

He added: "I’ll do everything I can to get a reaction [after the Southampton defeat].

"The squad are a good bunch and they want to do the right things. We’ve seen that in two of the performances since I’ve been here.

"I’m confident. We’ll work hard during the week.

"We’re playing the best team in the league – possibly the best team in