Frank Lampard warns his side could face ANOTHER relegation battle next season

Frank Lampard is worried Everton could find themselves in another relegation battle next season if they don't improve their form following Thursday's humiliating 4-0 loss to MLS side Minnesota United.

Minnesota scored three times in the first-half of their pre-season friendly and added a fourth 10 minutes from time to highlight what Lampard described as a 'very poor performance individually and collectively'.

The Everton boss has also called attention to his concerns about the squad's attacking prowess following the departure of the star striker Richarlison - who left the Toffees to join Tottenham.

Lampard was left feeling disappointed after Everton's pre-season friendly with Minnesota United. He had hoped to prove the club's doubters wrong but ended up reinforcing everyone's concerns.

Everton's day was summed up by an awful miss from Dele Alli - who somehow skewed a shot wide after receiving the ball in front of an open goal from former Tottenham star by Mason Holgate.

Speaking after the game, Lampard said he was eager to avoid a relegation scrap next season - having survived the drop on the penultimate day of the 2021-22 campaign.

However, he expressed his concerns and warned his Everton players that they must move on from the emotions of surviving in the Premier League last season to be successful in the 2022-2023 campaign.

Discussing the result after the Minnesota United game, Lampard said: 'The players have to work and understand we were in a relegation battle for a big portion of last season.

'We had an amazing night (against Crystal Palace) and an amazing run, but as soon as that finished, I put it to bed very quickly, so the players have to put it to bed as well, because we were in that fight for a reason.

'And if we don't want to be in that situation again, they have to be better and I have to be better. As a club, it (the Minnesota game) reinforced the situation in terms of what we need to do with the squad, because it has to be stronger than what we saw tonight.'

'The players in the dressing room need to understand that they've put in a very poor performance individually and collectively.'

Lampard also shared his concerns about Everton's attacking prowess as the Toffees have failed to score a single goal during their pre-season campaign.

The Everton boss admits their struggles in front of goal could be as a result of Richarlison's departure.

Richarlison signed a five-year deal with Spurs this summer and followed the likes of Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Fraser Forster through the door at the north London club.

Speaking about Richarlison's departure, Lampard said: 'There is no doubt about it. When you think of where we were last year, we have lost a big player in Richarlison.

'We wish him well, but our club now continues. We know there is a void in forward areas, we are short in numbers there.

'Also, through the team, there are things I want to strengthen, and I can be honest about that, because a club like Everton has to have a competitive squad.'