Everton were hard done by in the Merseyside derby.
David Moyes felt Chris Kavanagh should have given Everton a penalty after Curtis Jones shoved Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall inside the box, while Liverpool somehow finished the match without a yellow card despite some woeful challenges from Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.
The latter was also involved in a clash with Thierno Barry in stoppage time which few Everton fans seem to have noticed, and the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) owe the Toffees an explanation as to why that particular incident was not even checked.
Were Everton robbed of a penalty on Dewsbury-Hall? 😫
Another Chris Kavanagh decision going against the Blues… 😡
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton is challenged by Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool
Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley
Officials are encouraging dives as Thierno Barry punished for honesty
Some Everton fans may recall the moment in stoppage time when Freddie Woodman made a mess of a punch inside his own box, almost presenting Everton with a chance.
However, as the inexperienced goalkeeper flapped at the ball, Van Dijk could be seen manhandling Barry off the ball.
Firstly, the Dutchman actually pushed the Frenchman into Woodman, which could have been a penalty in itself had the Everton No.11 gone down and made a meal of it.
While the backup Liverpool glovesman tried to amend his error, Van Dijk then grabbed Barry by the shirt and held him back, stopping the striker from actually taking advantage of the loose ball caused by Woodman’s initially poor punch.
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We are unable to embed the footage due to copyright reasons, but you can view it for yourself by clicking the link here on X (previously known as Twitter).
Barry – who admittedly struggled during his cameo – deserves some credit for being honest and trying to stay on his feet to win the loose ball, but a more experienced, savvier striker may have had the awareness to hit the deck and put the incident in the spotlight.
Thoughts on Barry’s cameo vs Liverpool? 😬
Thierno Barry of Everton reacts during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Credit: Getty Images/Molly Darlington
Having said that, the 23-year-old shouldn’t need to think about playacting. It is down to the officials to snuff out any wrongdoing by themselves, and there is quite clearly an argument here to say Van Dijk fouled Barry by pushing, and then holding, the man born in Lyon.
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