Evans: Let's get back to basics and show our quality
Roy Evans has shared his confidence that Liverpool can secure a place in the Premier League top four come the end of 2016-17.
With only 12 games left to play, the former Reds manager believes it’s important for Jürgen Klopp’s charges to forget about Monday’s defeat at Leicester City and get back to basics to fulfil the job in hand.
“Obviously it was a very disappointing result and a disappointing performance at Leicester, because we didn’t defend well and didn’t attack their goal often enough and paid the price,” Evans told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It’s not over. There’s still a lot of games left to play and I still think we can make that top four.
“We’ve just got to change our mentality slightly because when we are good we are very good, but on the odd day we don’t perform we’ve been punished for that.
“Hopefully we can come back to the Tottenham performance and the Leicester game was just a bad day at the office, but we do have to buck up because I would like to see us threaten that top-four space, because I think overall we deserve that.
“The one thing you always do when you are having a bit of a bad time is you go back to basics.
“Hopefully we can pick our best team now, stick with it and see where it takes us because we have got the ability.”
Champions League rivals Arsenal are next up for the Reds at Anfield this evening, and Evans expects Klopp’s side to head into the clash with intent.
Liverpool, of course, began the season with a thrilling 4-3 win over Arsene Wenger’s men at Emirates Stadium in an early statement of their credentials.
Evans backs them to cause the Gunners problems once again, though also called for caution defensively, particularly with the likes of Alexis Sanchez a potent threat at the other end of the field.
“I expect us to make a big comeback on Saturday. I would imagine Jürgen would have ripped into them after the game,” he said.
“Arsenal give you a chance, but at the same time if you give them a chance they are a team that can cut you to pieces with their ability.
“We’ve been at our best when we have played the so-called better teams so hopefully we can return to that and kick-start the season.”
Evans was speaking at the launch of his great friend and fellow Boot Room legend Ronnie Moran’s new book.
'Mr Liverpool', the official life story written by his son Paul, tells the story of the 49 years of Anfield service that saw Moran contribute to the winning of 24 major honours in the roles of player, first-team coach and caretaker manager.
Click here to purchase the book from our online store now.