Merseyside Insider: Everton remember a great of their past as the club heads towards a bright future

What’s been happening in the world of football on Merseyside this week? Jennifer Atherton gives us the scoop….

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A city remembers one of its greats

It was an extremely sad day for the world of football last Saturday when we learned of the passing of one of the game’s greats, Howard Kendall. A successful player and manager for Everton, he will be truly missed by all.

Everton paid their respects, saying: “Howard was the most successful manager in the history of the club, and one of the greatest players to pull on the Everton jersey.”

Howard was a real Evertonian and I was at the End of Season Awards in May when Kendall received the Blue Blood Award for his spirit and passion for the club he loved.

The details of his funeral have been announced; it will take place at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Thursday 29th October at 1pm, when Merseyside will send off a man who will be sorely missed. R.I.P. Howard.

Too little, far too late

The always outspoken agent of Raheem Sterling has appeared in the press once again this week, this time to say Sterling would still be a Liverpool player had Jurgen Klopp arrived before the young Englishman made the move to Manchester City in the summer.

Aidy Ward said: “Would Raheem under Klopp have been a good scenario? Yes, 100 per cent. Mainly because of the person he is. The passion, drive, emotion, wanting to achieve. Working with Klopp could have been great. He’s going to get the best out of those players. It could have been a dream come true.”

It could well have been, but the 20-year-old decided to make the move to the title contenders and leave Anfield behind.

Is this another false Goodison dawn?

It’s nothing new to Evertonians to hear of a new possible takeover of their club.

Sometimes I can’t figure out if the fans are excited or skeptical at the thought of a possible takeover – I suppose, as with most things in football, it splits opinion.

The latest rumours involve American Robb Heineman, owner of MLS side Sporting Kansas City. Be Heineman himself has admitted that he does not believe he is in the running for the club.

“I actually think there are a couple of legitimate groups that are talking to Bill Kenwright right now about buying the team,” he said. “I think it will get solved in the next few months.”

Evertonians will have to wait and see what the next few months will bring for their club.

Danny has terrible timing

You can forgive Liverpool fans for feeling a little unlucky in the attacking department lately!

Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge have both suffered injury setbacks, and now Danny Ings has added to their injury woes.

The club’s current top-scorer has been ruled out for what was originally thought to be the season, although the 23-year-old is now hoping that an earlier return could be possible.

It wasn’t the impression Ings would have hoped to make in Klopp’s first training session, but he is aiming to show his new boss his great attitude about his unfortunate situation.

“The only way I can get in his (Klopp’s) thoughts and show him what a good professional I am is the way I am in the gym or by being positive around the lads,” Ings said. “Sometimes negativity can rub off on players and I don’t want to affect their performance. When you are injured you have to keep a positive mindset and keep moving forward.”

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