Any Merseyside Derby defeat is hard to take, and one with the winner coming in the 99th minute is tougher than most, but it’s important that Everton dust themselves down quickly.
Everton can’t feel sorry for themselves, they must continue their quest to earn a place in European competition – whether that’s Europa League or Conference League.
Reflecting on the game will serve up a number of ‘maybes’ and ‘what ifs’, but for me it was a familiar issue which made the difference. That is the lack of quality in front of goal and not taking control of games when the impetus is with you. The bottom line is if you score more than the opposition you win, and deserve to.
What went wrong there for Everton? 😫
Heartbreak for the Blues in the derby
Beto of Everton leaves the pitch due to a injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Alan Myers highlights striker issue as key reason for Everton’s Merseyside Derby defeat
Everton had chances early on which could’ve been better taken. I really like Beto as a player and a person, he is a genuine professional who has hard work and determination high on the list as the major assets of his game. I’ve been delighted to see him back among the goals of late, but I do feel there are moments in most games where we need to see a more clinical approach.
I’m reluctant to criticise him though as I’ll always have time for a player that gives everything, and that was only too evident when he had to withdraw from the game. Firstly, the determination to get to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross was typical of him giving every ounce of energy to get there, and once he was off-the-field, that intensity was clearly missing. The difference could not have been starker in his replacement Thierno Barry.
I’m really not sure where Barry’s Everton career will go. This was a derby game, Everton had equalised and looked at that point like they could go on and win it, but quite frankly his performance fell way short of what I’d expect in those circumstances.
He looked lethargic, almost uninterested and second best to each challenge or situation he found himself in. I’d expect to see more from a player who has been waiting for a chance in recent weeks due to his competition doing well and scoring goals.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
That change, plus the unfortunate injury to Jarrad Branthwaite – which is a real tough one to take – has once again brought a focus to the fact that this squad has weaknesses. I think we all know where they are and what needs to be done in the summer, which of course doesn’t help right now, but it’s there nevertheless.
However, the manager and players cannot think about that right now, there are still five games to go, still 15 points to play for. And let’s not kid ourselves, the derby and the game against a massively in-form Manchester City have always been games where we would be up against it, but there are winnable matches remaining too. We can’t let this defeat derail what has been a positive season to date.
The players have to pick themselves up and go again, and not allow this season to peter out. There’s a game at struggling West Ham ahead of them, but they will be fighting for their Premier League lives and Everton will need to match that intensity – I’m sure David Moyes will be reminding them of that in the week ahead.
Europe is still on.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox