Chris Beesley picks out some moments missed from Everton's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield
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As always, there were flashpoints to debate following the Merseyside Derby but ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley selects some moments missed from the game at Anfield.
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Reds views on the goal
Liverpool's winning goal prompted plenty of discussion after the game with David Moyes, Jordan Pickford and James Tarkowski all questioning the call to allow Diogo Jota's strike to stand.
Indeed, even Arne Slot admitted that, while the offside rules may have been on his side this time around, he isn't a fan and was left upset when a similar thing happened to him while managing Feyenoord in a match against Atletico Madrid.
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And while this correspondent was beavering away in the Anfield media room following the full-time whistle on Wednesday night, several members of LFC stadium staff were discussing Luis Diaz’s involvement in Diogo Jota’s match-winning strike.
Although they were mightily relieved by getting back to winning ways and the three points that moved them a big step closer to securing what should be a first League Championship in front of fans for 35 years, they too were left puzzled by the winner.
"It was offside," stated one during their post-match discussion and after years of meddling, it just goes to show how confusing the offside rule remains for all involved.
Tarky talks
It wasn’t just those within the bowels of the ground who found that it was good to talk. While we all view these passionate affairs through our blue or red prisms, the general consensus among most of those watching was that Everton captain James Tarkowski was fortunate to have avoided a sending off for his high challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.
Thankfully, the Liverpool midfielder was not seriously hurt and having been fit to complete the match, Tarkowski could be seen speaking to him after the final whistle. It is understood that the Mancunian was offering an apology for catching the Argentina World Cup winner with his follow-through and the pair appeared to bury the hatchet.
Also spotted exchanging words were Tarkowski’s centre-back partner Jarrad Branthwaite with Reds counterpart Jarell Quansah. The pair know each other from England Under-21 duty and while the Liverpool man was among the substitutes for Arne Slot, unlike ‘The Carlisle Kaiser’ who is a regular in David Moyes’ side, he was called up to new Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel’s first senior squad.
Hair we go
For the first time since he joined Everton, Jack Harrison’s ponytail was back on display against Liverpool but unlike a latter day Samson, his long locks were unable to provide a powerful performance with the 28-year-old struggling down the right wing before he became the first of five players to be hooked by his manager. With striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin no longer sporting such a hairstyle – the days of him scrambling around for his bobble on the pitch are over for now – and Youssef Chermiti now sporting a shorter crop than when he first arrived on Merseyside – the Stoke-on-Trent-born player is currently unique with such a look at Finch Farm.
It’s a far cry from when Harrison first played at Anfield in 2020 and he had his man bun-sporting Leeds United captain Luke Ayling and Kalvin Phillips to keep him company. The wide man scored that day, so perhaps he was trying to roll back the years?
Keeping the faith
Maybe I’m on my own with this one, but it’s a hill I’m willing to die on. I don’t like keepers coming up for corners.
It hardly ever used to happen but ever since Jimmy Glass kept Carlisle United in the Football League with his last-gasp strike back in 1999, numerous custodians fancy themselves in the opposition box. Don’t get me wrong, if they’re good enough to have the technique to pull it off then fair enough – like the header from Liverpool’s Alisson at West Bromwich Albion – but generally they're more of a hindrance than a help.
Jordan Pickford is actually one of the best in the business among his peers with the ball at his field, but he still seemed to get in the way of Tarkowski potentially grabbing another last-gasp equaliser when he trundled up the Anfield turf as the clock ran down.
Referee Sam Barrott denied the visitors anyway and the Blues’ official X account didn’t mince their words when they declared: “Pickford goes up for an Everton corner. Young sends in the cross but the referee blows for what looked like a dubious foul on Kelleher.”