There have been many major errors made in Merseyside Derbies over the years, and David Moyes will hope no more affects his Everton side.
With anticipation building to another derby between Liverpool and Everton, fans are probably still recovering from February’s clash.
It was certainly one to remember as the final-ever occasion at Goodison Park between the two clubs was a show-stopper.
Abdoulaye Doucoure wound up Liverpool fans, and Virgil van Dijk claimed it was Everton’s cup final, as the rivalry sparked to life more than ever.
Well, if fans of both sides think this game was bad, Mark Clattenburg had to referee one of the hardest games in football and has now admitted to two major errors made.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg admits to major errors made during Everton vs Liverpool in 2007
The derby will be the first fixture both fanbases look out for on the calendar, as next Wednesday’s affair can’t come soon enough.
There has already been controversy surrounding the game, as Everton were denied the fixture being moved forward as Moyes’ side face Arsenal on Saturday in the same week.
Nevertheless, the decision still stands, and it has every chance of being as good as February’s bout.
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It would certainly take a lot to top the encounter in 2007, as controversy filled the air at Goodison.
Clattenburg took centre stage of the game, as two red cards were shown to Everton, but to Moyes’ fury there were also major errors made against them.
Speaking to The Overlap, the well-renowned referee admitted to huge mistakes involving Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Jamie Carragher.
Kuyt put in a nasty challenge on Phil Neville in the air, as Clattenburg only branded the Dutchman with a yellow to Moyes’ uproar.
The former referee spoke on the incident saying: “I didn’t see the (Kuyt) decision correctly, he (the assistant) was adamant it was a yellow card.
“Looking back on the game, it’s a red card; of course it is.”
The other incident came in the dying embers as Clattenburg waved away a penalty when Jamie Carragher wrestled Joleon Lescott to the ground, which he has also admitted was wrong.
“What’s interesting is I sent two Everton players off, and the easiest decision would’ve been to award Everton a penalty, to get out of the place alive!” Clattenburg said.
“I was thinking, why am I getting abuse? Why is Moyes and everybody against me?
“When I watch it back, it’s a clear penalty.”
READ MORE: ‘I never lie’… Abdoulaye Doucoure breaks silence on his Everton future
Clattenburg didn’t referee at Everton for six years after Liverpool errors
Moyes was outraged back then and should count his blessings that Clattenburg won’t be refereeing next Wednesday’s match.
It still lives long in Evertonians’ memories, as it seems nothing has changed with the Toffees and referees after Everton were denied a penalty vs Man United this season.
The one thing that has changed is punishments for referees, as Clattenburg didn’t ref a game at Goodison for the next six years after he made a calamity of errors.
It’s certainly a stepping stone for the former Premier League referee, but there is no denying there were absolute howlers in such a vital game.