David Moyes laments poor first half while praising the resilience of his players

David Moyes lamented “not getting it tactically right” in a poor first half that allowed Liverpool to score twice to secure a 2-1 win in the first Merseyside derby at Anfield.

The hosts capitalised on a slow start from the Blues and goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike inside the opening half hour proved decisive. Despite Idrissa Gueye reducing the deficit with a clean strike just before the hour mark, Everton failed to snatch a point after going on a three-game unbeaten run.

"I’m just disappointed we didn't maybe get something out of it,” Moyes said after the game.

“It was always going to be tough for us to get there after going two down. But we stuck at it, worked our way back into the game and finished the game relatively strong.

"The first half was poor, we accept that, and we probably tactically didn't get it as right as we should have done. We needed to get after them a bit more than we did do and we done it in the second half and it certainly showed.

"We've come here and had a goal and a few attempts in the first half. We missed the real clinical bit, which maybe they had when they got it. But we got back in the game, and deservedly so. I'm praising the players for their resilience and sticking with it. I thought they showed a bit more determination and commitment to try to show that in the second period."

After the final whistle, Moyes was seen walking up to referee Darren England and having a heated discussion. One of the points of contention was probably the referee’s decision to stop his side from taking quick free kicks, which Moyes clearly disagreed with on the touchline.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he commented, "The bigger thing is the game seemed to be controlled by the referee, we couldn't start anything quickly. We couldn't play. I have had played plenty of games where teams have taken quick free-kicks and it hasn't been the referee's whistle.

"He never allowed us to get the game underway fast when we wanted to. I found it strange that there was only three minutes [of stoppage time]. If Liverpool were 2-0 down, I'm not sure if three minutes would have been put up."

Jack Grealish, playing in his first Merseyside Derby, was one of the brightest sparks on the pitch for Everton. He provided threat with crosses and chances down the left flank and was a handful for the opposition.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Grealish echoed his manager’s sentiments and says it’s frustrating that they couldn’t emulate the intensity of their second-half performance in the opening 45.

"It was what I expected, coming here it was hostile, faster.

“I don't think we played well in the first half, we came in at half-time and had a chat with the manager and then in the second half, we lost the game. Frustrating because if we had played like that, pressed like that from the start, it would have been a different game. In the end, we couldn't get that last goal.

"When I have watched them [Liverpool] this season they have been so good but there has been a few times they have gone 2-0 up and then conceded two, we had the belief. We got the one back, a great finish Idrissa [Gueye] but we couldn't get that last goal."

Everton will now turn their attention towards the third round cup game against Wolves at Molineux Stadium on Tuesday.

 

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