Jamie Carragher criticized the first-half performances of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate against Everton, claiming the pair made Beto look like “prime Didier Drogba”.
The Liverpool defenders were twice outmuscled by the Everton forward in the first 45 minutes of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby, with Beto seeing a goal ruled out for offside and another shot hit the post following slick counter attacks from the visitors at Anfield.
Van Dijk was uncharacteristically flustered and was knocked off his stride by Beto and he then did an air kick when trying to clear the ball. The disjointed displays resulted in a first half where Liverpool dominated possession but Everton had the best openings.
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“Everton have looked dangerous going forward and especially Beto,” said Carragher during Sky Sports’ half-time analysis. “He’s caused Virgil van Dijk, and especially Konate, big problems.
“Liverpool’s two center-backs have been brilliant for the majority of the season, but they’re making Beto look like prime Didier Drogba. They need to sharpen up.”
From the blue corner came a similar verdict. “Poor defending,” opined ex-Everton forward Duncan Ferguson. “Liverpool have been wide open to the counter attack all evening.
“They’re attacking balance has been really poor and the midfield players are not tracking back. There’s a big space in the middle and they’re allowing Everton to break. Everton have looked the most dangerous team.”
Meanwhile, the big talking point was the red card appeal against James Tarkowski. The ex-Burnley defender lunged into a strong tackle on Alexis Mac Allister that, despite winning the ball, saw Tarkowski slide in and catch the World Cup winner high on the back of the calf.
Carragher felt it was an incredibly poor decision from the referee and VAR not to hand out a red card. “The referee, Sam Barratt, is in a brilliant position and he should give that on the pitch.
“He has to see that. It’s a shocking tackle, we know it should be a red card and it’s even really up for debate. It’s an awful tackle and James Tarkowski knows what he’s doing.”
It was an opinion backed up by Ferguson in the Sky studio, along with Gary Neville, Paul Merson and Mike Dean.
However, explaining why just a yellow was awarded, the Premier League said: “The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”
