Opposition View: Everton
- Everton will be a threat to Leicester City on Sunday, says Liverpool Echo reporter Phil Kirkbride
- The Toffees are in the Premier League's bottom three but have improved in the past week
- Striker Wayne Rooney will be a danger in attacking positions, Kirkbride believes
- Kirkbride adds that the Merseyside club's problems have been damaging, but can be eased
The Toffees have encountered difficulties in the Premier League this term and are currently under the caretaker management of Under-23s coach David Unsworth.
Kirkbride, speaking to LCFC Radio this week, said Everton’s problems look to have been alleviated during a narrow 2-1 loss at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
He said: “The reaction to Ronald Koeman’s departure has been various. It has been viewed largely as the correct decision by Evertonians.
“The nature of the defeat against Arsenal last weekend felt like the final act. There is a degree of sadness that it hasn’t worked out following last season.
“It’s been disappointing but there was a feeling that the club had to act.”
On what City can expect from Everton, Kirkbride, added: “Energy, passion and the basic characteristics that you would want in any football team – fight and belief.
“Under Koeman, they lacked direction and hopefully Unsworth will bring that back. He spoke about the players being able to reconnect with the supporters, which is positive.
“Koeman’s weaknesses have been far-reaching unfortunately. It’s why the club decided he was no longer the man they wanted.
“New players have been unable to settle and there have been too many players in some positions and not enough in others, especially a striker.
“The problems have been plentiful. Everton last season had one of the best defensive records in the division but that hasn’t been the case this season.”
However, the Foxes must be wary of the talent in Unsworth’s squad, not least the attacking abilities of former Manchester United forward and England's record goal-scorer, Wayne Rooney.
“Everton’s danger men would come as no surprise to Leicester City fans,” Kirkbride concluded.
“Rooney will be the man Unsworth looks to and Gylfi Sigurðsson will also be key.”
Matchday Live on LCFC Radio is back on Sunday afternoon for Claude Puel's first fixture as Leicester City manager against Everton.
Sam Putnam, Chris Alcock, Gerry Taggart and Nev Foulger unite again at King Power Stadium for the encounter with the Toffees from 3pm.