Your morning Everton headlines for Monday, February 13.
'I can’t say' - Rafa Benitez makes honest admission on Merseyside Derby loyalties as Liverpool face Everton
After spells managing on either side of Stanley Park, Rafael Benitez insists “I can’t say I’m more Liverpool or Everton today” but he does not think a subsequent spell at Goodison Park tarnished his reputation at Anfield.
Liverpool host Everton tonight in the 242nd Merseyside Derby and writing the foreword for Peter Kenny Jones’ forthcoming book Crossing the Park: The Men Who Dared to Play for Both Liverpool and Everton, the Spaniard said: “When I first arrived at Anfield I was surprised by the people, they were very friendly, they tried to help with adapting to the new place from day one. Then at Everton, there were a lot of friendly people, but the difference was that some looked at you differently, they couldn’t forget the past with Liverpool.
READ MORE: Sean Dyche gives blunt assessment of Everton record at Liverpool
“I feel at home in Merseyside, my family is completely at home here and that is important. The Liverpool fans are still kind and close today, many of the Everton fans know what actually happened and are, let’s say, friendly.
“My best moment with Liverpool was the Champions League in 2005, along with many other good memories; the worst moment was the feeling towards the end that something was changing for the worse and that I had to leave. With Everton, the best moment was the 2-1 win in December against Arsenal.
Read the full story, here.
'I cannot lie' - Alex Iwobi reacts to Sean Dyche regime as two items banned from Everton training
Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi has admitted his enjoyment of playing football has returned following the arrival of Sean Dyche at Goodison Park.
The 51-year-old former Burnley boss succeeded Frank Lampard last month after a run of just one win in nine Premier League games left the Blues in the relegation zone. However, in their first outing under Dyche, the Blues recorded a stunning win over league leaders Arsenal thanks to a header from James Tarkowski midway through the second half at Goodison Park on February 4.
For Iwobi, who joined the Blues in the summer of 2019, he's enjoying his football as much as he ever has at Goodison Park.
“Of course it has been tough for the past three years – it wasn't a great start when I signed – but I'm probably the happiest I've been for a while,” said the midfielder, speaking to Press Association. “I am consistently playing a lot of football and especially at Everton, it's a very good club with a lot of history in the Premier League.
"I am happy, I just hopefully can maintain that and keep going.”
Dyche has already made several changes to the Everton dressing room and training culture - including banning snoods and hats while insisting every player wears shin pads for Finch Farm sessions.
Read the full story, here.
READ NEXT
- Sean Dyche sends message to Everton fans and response to Liverpool questions
- Full Liverpool squad for Everton with six players out after Thiago Alcantara injury
- How Luis Suarez 'helped' Everton by diving right in front of David Moyes
- Jurgen Klopp explains why he 'cannot' leave Liverpool during 'difficult time'
- Jurgen Klopp told two reasons behind Liverpool's 'strange' season
