Everton defender James Tarkowski says he’ll be ready for Darwin Nunez when they host Liverpool for Saturday’s huge derby.
Nunez was handed a straight red when he responded angrily to the antics of Joachim Anderson in his side’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
Tarkowski said he expected Nunez, should he play, to be “switched on”, however, adding: “If he’s playing he is going to be expecting people right on him and I am sure his manager will be in his ear making sure he is switched on. Everyone has moments in their career, especially at a younger age, when you lose your head for a minute but you learn from your experiences and I am sure he will.”
Tarkowski believes there is a lesson for everyone in what happened when the former Benfica star saw red at Anfield – Blues players included. He said: “I’m not going to go around and just be his best mate and high five him. But I expect him to be switched right on. You’ve got to control yourself and that includes us, we want to go and show passion and put a foot in and get around them but it needs to be done in a controlled manner because we know you can get booked and sent off on days like this.”
The occasion will be the 29-year-old’s first experience of a Merseyside derby and he is excited for it. The centre back said: “I think I know what I am in for. I have watched plenty of them on tele and even just turning up for the first game of the season and seeing the passion from the fans on the coach as we arrived. I expect it to be a little bit louder than that and a bit more passionate but hopefully a good day and it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
