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Everton manager Ronald Koeman says there was “no escape” from Ross Barkley’s shortcomings at Sunderland but has backed the Blues midfielder to up his game.

Barkley was substituted at half-time at the Stadium of Light with the score at 0-0 in a match his side would eventually win 3-0.

Koeman said: “There was a reason to change Ross at half-time because he did not play well and lost many balls. “Players of that quality can’t lose that many balls.

“I had talks with Ross that he needs to improve but okay we’ll see at the weekend.”

Barkley was left out of new England manager Sam Allardyce’s first squad after failing to get on the pitch during Euro 2016 but Koeman does not think the Everton player is suffering from his Three Lions snub.

He said: “In my opinion that’s the past and what counts now is what happens now. You get game time in the national team because you play at a good level with your club and that’s deserved game time in the national team.

“That was one game what happened last Monday, we spoke to him and he understands. We showed him the clips and there’s no escape.”

Koeman also spoke about the role in which he sees Barkley fulfilling for Everton under his management.

He said: “It’s more the way how he used to play. The player by himself is strong enough even to work harder to do better pressing. That’s not for Ross in particular because it’s also for some players in front.

“If you look at his qualities, he needs to be the key player between the defenders and the strikers.

“He’s that position in the midfield to create, but also defensively to be part of the team.

“In all aspects he can improve and needs to improve but he is a young player to question.

“It’s always possible to discuss his position. I spoke to him in pre-season about his position and we agreed his best position is midfield.

“These kind of good players can play wide, but if we play three strikers I prefer three strikers in front.

“He can play as the number 10 or the two holding midfield positions.”