Merlin Rohl reveals Everton dressing room talks on Europe and makes transfer statement

Merlin Rohl was speaking following Everton's 3-3 Premier League draw with Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night

Merlin Rohl revealed his Everton side still have their sights on qualifying for Europe despite Manchester City denting their hopes. The Blues and Pep Guardiola’s side played out a six-goal thriller at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

City looked on course for all three points when Jeremy Doku struck before the break, but three goals in 14 second-half minutes put the Blues in total control. But after Erling Haaland struck, Everton then became the first team in Premier League history to concede a result-altering goal in the 90th minute or later in three consecutive matches when Doku scored seven minutes into stoppage time.

However, despite the setback, Rohl admitted he and his team-mates still believe finishing in the European places remains possible.

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He said: “Yeah, as a football team, we always reach for the best outcome. Even today, we are disappointed because we didn't get the win.

“The win would have helped us so much with our goal. But we try to win every game and look at the next game. We'll see how the situation is.”

Rohl’s stay on Merseyside is set to be made permanent this summer, as his initial season-long loan move from Freiburg contained an obligation to buy.

Confirmation of the deal, understood to be worth around £18 million, is imminent after Everton mathematically secured their Premier League survival last month.

And the midfielder said: “I'm happy to be at this club. I'm happy for every minute I get on this pitch. It's a really special club. We will see next season. But I'm really happy if I stay here and can make an impact like today.”

Monday’s start against Guardiola’s side was Rohl’s first since the Blues beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park back in January.

The Germany under-21 international has found his game time limited so far this season, but he believes he has always maintained the trust of his manager.

“I think he trusts me all the time,” he said. “That's the important thing. Even when I was not playing, I knew that he would trust me at some point. I just need to be patient.

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“But I think it was just a game where you have the (Nico) O'Reilly situation. He's really a player who wants to go forward. There's some space in behind.

“Everyone knows about my pace. There was some space and I was really happy to get two or three situations where I can use it.

“There was one in the first half where we had the exact situation we planned before. That's what I'm happy about. That's why the manager trusts me in this game.”

Before he added: "I'm here living my dream, playing for a great club, playing in the best league in the world and inside me, there's no need to only play in one position.

"I'm happy to be on the pitch, to play in front of these great supporters, in a great stadium. There's never a position I wouldn't play.

"Today was the first time I've played on the right wing for a long time, but I can play anywhere – on the right wing, right-back, central midfield.

"I'm always happy to contribute. It always depends on which opponent we are playing, so sometimes I might be needed higher up the pitch, sometimes I can add pace on the counter-attack, or give something in the midfield."

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