Ronald Koeman has insisted he will continue to give Everton’s youngsters chances in the first team despite the defeat to Liverpool.
As a result of injuries, the Blues were forced to name four players under the age of 22 in the 3-1 reversal on Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
One of those was Matthew Pennington, who despite equalising on his maiden derby outing endured a difficult afternoon up against Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.
It was a similar testing experience for Mason Holgate, Tom Davies and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with all three struggling to make an impact on the game.
That has not deterred their manager, though, who insists he will continue to hand the club’s youth chances in future.
He said: “To improve is to play and get game time.
“I’m a manager who, if young players are developing and we have some problems like we’ve had with injuries then it’s a good opportunity for young players.
“That’s the future of the club and of course we like to sign and make the team stronger but everyone is always talking about the academy of Everton.
“I’m the right manager for that place to give them opportunities. I’m not afraid to give chances to young players.”
Koeman has however insisted that Ross Barkley can no longer be compared in the same light as the other youngsters in his squad.
The midfielder endured another disappointing performance against the Reds and was fortunate not to see red for a poorly timed challenge on Dejan Lovren.
His display earned widespread criticism from the Blues fan base following the game and Koeman admits he cannot protect him as he does the younger players.
“You can’t compare Ross to the others,” he added.
“He needs to show the type of player that he is. Ross, in my opinion, is not that player to protect but not like younger players.
“He’s now a full international player and that’s what I look to in his performances.
“Last Saturday was not at the level of which he can perform. In the last two or three months, he was that type of player we like to see.”