Controversy surrounds the carnage at Goodison Park as Liverpool suffered.
The days of the ‘friendly derby’ disappeared years ago but the 237th fixture was an all-time low on so many levels for the Champions, who left the game with one point, huge frustrations, serious injuries and major considerations for the remainder of the campaign.
Such was the controversy following Sadio Mané’s late disallowed ‘goal’ and the appalling tackle on Virgil van Dijk that Liverpool in an unprecedented way, have written to the Premier League to ask for an explanation.
The global Kopite family are in unison about a game which led former players of other clubs, such as Cesc Fabregas and Jermaine Jenas to question the standards of officiating.
An awful afternoon began with Jordan Pickford’s diabolical tackle on van Dijk. This was reminiscent of Toni Schumacher’s “dastardly act” against Patrick Battiston in the 1982 World Cup semi-final. As with Spain 1982, the goalkeeper also profiteered this time around.
If the rationale for letting him off was an offside decision and therefore inactive play, would a player be let off for foul play if it occurred during a throw-in? The answer is clearly no.
Richarlison’s intemperate behavior as he walked off the pitch having been sent off for a potential leg breaking tackle on the immaculate Thiago summed up the Everton approach on a day when they benefited tremendously from van Dijk not being on the pitch and facing the likelihood of a season out.
The carnage leaves Liverpool with some serious dilemmas. Retaining the Premier League and winning the Champions League now looks out of bounds if we do not see the world’s best centre-back until May or even later. The Reds have already suffered without Alisson and if Thiago too is facing time away, the spine of the side is removed.
With the transfer window closed and the lack of defensive cover, Fabinho and Matip appear as the natural centre-half partnership with Joe Gomez alternating. Matip has only just returned from yet another injury.
The combination of Gomez and Trent Alexander Arnold on Liverpool’s right hand side of defence has been too generous to opponents this season and the loss of van Dijk will have to lead to a re-think about the high defensive line which will have to retreat now.
In addition, with more options in midfield, the urge for both full-backs to go forward is not as pressing which would allow Gomez to play at right back on occasion. However, this could change if Thiago faces a spell on the sidelines.
A change in formation to 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 has to also be on the table. It is now horses for courses. Up front, Roberto Firmino has hit groundhog day but the match also demonstrated again that with Mané in the team, they are a different force.
Liverpool enter a taxing point in the season with the Champions League about to start and much to ponder after a disastrous derby day where they deserved maximum points but were let down by other factors. YNWA.
Riaz Ravat is a member of Liverpool FC’s Equality & Diversity Fan Forum. He writes in a personal capacity.