FRANK LAMPARD demanded that his Everton players “must be better” after they suffered a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at Minnesota United last night.
The Toffees had the likes of new signing James Tarkowski, England goalie Jordan Pickford and star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for their latest pre-season friendly defeat.
However, the strong Toffees side was blown away by the MLS Side in a morale-sapping setback ahead of the new campaign.
Emanuel Reynoso sent Pickford the wrong way from the penalty spot early on after Tom Davies had handled in the area.
Things got worse on the half hour mark when Michael Keane slid a Kemar Lawrence cross straight into his own net.
And it was three seconds before the break as Luis Amarilla pounced after the Blues defence failed to clear the danger inside the area.
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A host of changes were made by both teams at half time, but it was Minnesota that continued to dominate as they added a fourth with 20 minutes left through Abu Danladi.
Everton, who were playing their second pre-season friendly, only just survived relegation from the Premier League last term.
And their furious boss Lampard insisted things have to improve at the club after witnessing this display at the Allianz Field as he stressed the need for a replacement up front after Richarlison’s exit to Tottenham.
He told EvertonTV: “The players have to work and understand we were in a relegation battle for a big portion of last season.
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“We had an amazing night [against Crystal Palace] and an amazing run…but, as soon as that finished, I put it to bed very quickly, so the players have to put it to bed as well, because we were in that fight for a reason. And if we don’t want to be in that situation again, they have to better and I have to be better.
“As a club, it [the Minnesota game] reinforced the situation in terms of what we need to do with the squad, because it has to be stronger that what we saw tonight.
“We’re all [as a club] very collectively joined up on that and it reinforces the thoughts we’ve all got.
“It’s important to think in that way because you want to get better and personnel is key.
“There is no doubt about it. When you think of where we were last year, we have lost a big player in Richarlison…we wish him well, but our club now continues.
“We know there is a void in forward areas, we are short in numbers there. Also, through the team, there are things I want to strengthen, and I can be honest about that, because a club like Everton has to have a competitive squad.”
He added: “The players must be up for the fact they have to fight to play in the team. For me, that starts on day one of pre-season and ends at the end of the season.
“That’s the disappointing thing tonight for me – the lads have trained well and trained hard out here but that performance [against Minnesota] should give them a lot to think about on the plane home, because it’s certainly given me a lot to think about.”
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