Daniel Farke: Everton is a top class side

Head coach Daniel Farke was full of praise for the Toffees in his pre-match press conference at Lotus Training centre on Friday afternoon.

“Everton is, for me, a top class side with top players and they will definitely finish in a really good position at the end of the season,” he told the media.

“They have high quality individual players and a very experienced coach. If you have this combination, then it’s quite likely that you finish in a really good position.

“Their results in the first games were top class. They will be a bit disappointed with their last game, and in the cup they played with many changes, so this happens.

“I’m pretty sure they’re highly motivated to show a reaction, especially to the Aston Villa game in terms of results.

“All in all, you have to say, in terms of points, they’ve had quite a good start. I’m pretty sure it’s a difficult task for us and they will finish in a top position.

“We will travel pretty respectful but also fully aware that we have a chance.”

Saturday’s game represents the first time for Farke and Rafael Benitez to go head-to-head following the Spaniard’s appointment at Everton in the summer.

“We haven’t met before, if I’m honest,” Farke said. “I haven’t had the pleasure so far to meet him personally, but his CV speaks for itself.

“He won so many important games during his career and has so much experience. His teams are always unbelievably difficult to beat, well structured and it’s not easy to open them to create chances.

“He was able to lift the Champions League and had lots of success. I’m full of respect for what he’s done in his coaching life so far.”