Koeman: One of my worst international breaks

Everton manager Ronald Koeman met with the press ahead of tomorrow’s Merseyside Derby with plenty of injury news to talk about, the biggest of which was that Morgan Schneiderlin will miss the Liverpool game tomorrow as well as Tuesday’s trip to Manchester United.

He also read out a prepared statement regarding his concern about the mismanagement of midfielder James McCarthy by the Republic of Ireland coaching team led by Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane, but apportioned some of the blame on the player as well.

He finished up by talking about the passion for the Derby, along with trying to motivate the troops by saying that they need not fear the occasion despite the fact that the Blues haven’t won at Anfield since 1999.

“It’s a new season, a new game, a new manager for Everton and I don’t know why you need to be afraid of playing against Liverpool.

“I don’t understand that. I think we did a good job at Goodison Park, we played how we need to play against Liverpool and that’s what we will try to do again on Saturday.

“We didn’t deserve to lose and we need to bring the same attitude again. Even with the injuries I still believe we have a strong team for Saturday and it’s a nice challenge.

“I think we showed at home how you need to play - with the right attitude, with passion and, of course, you need to control your emotions.”

When asked if a top four finish was still possible for the seventh-placed Toffees, he said -

“’If’ in life does not count - you need to do it.

“And then yes maybe we will get more possibilities [to go for the top four]. But we need to show it.”

The Liverpool City Council today announced their support for the new Everton stadium, which brings the dream one step closer.

“Evertonians are really excited by the next step to building a new stadium. It’s a long project but I think it’s really important step on the way to the new stadium.

“That’s a long-term story for the club, as a manager you need to focus on game by game. Priority is today, tomorrow, not in two or three years.

“When I spoke to the Board and the owners of course they mentioned plans to have a new stadium.”