James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have discussed how Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez reacted to being wound up against Crystal Palace but believe he will have learned his lesson from that experience.
The Uruguay forward was handed a straight red when he responded angrily to the antics of Joachim Anderson in his side's 1-1 draw earlier this season. Nunez is available for selection for Saturday's Merseyside derby and his temper has been the subject of interest in the Everton dressing room.
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."
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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."
He understands the importance of showing passion and intensity for the home fans to get behind and expects the match, between two sides that have endured frustrating starts to the campaign, to be a "feisty" affair. Since his arrival from Burnley this summer, Tarkowski has quickly settled in and become - as anticipated - a leader at the back. He is already forming a solid partnership with fellow new centre back Coady - himself a captain figure who is 'always talking' to those around him. Both have shown quality on the ball to complement their defensive attributes, with Coady setting up Anthony Gordon for his goal at Brentford and Tarkowski operating in a 'quarterback' role that has seen him spread play to the wings.
This is an important part of the Blues' game, Tarkowski says. Highlighting the ability he feels his side has on the ball, he added: "We are not here just to fight people. We need to show that side of our game and our spirit but also we have a lot of talent in our squad. Just look at some of the goals we have scored already and some of the play we have shown. We are still building on that, we are still working on that and finding our confidence with it. We have shown great grit so far as well as talent and both sides of our game will be required at the weekend."
Signing leaders was a theme of Frank Lampard's transfer window, with young central midfielders Amadou Onana and James Garner also recruited. Both have led sides in youth squads. Personality, along with talent, was crucial to the Blues' transfer plans and Tarkowski is already seeing an impact on that front as a core spine of the team frees up the more creative players.
He said: "I think we needed a few voices because the group is young and a bit inexperienced but a couple of people coming out of their shell a bit more will help that. To be fair the lads in front of us are playing unbelievable. The energy they are showing, the talent, and when you see the goals Ant [Gordon] has scored and Dimi [Demarai Gray], and the lads in midfield have been working tirelessly."
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