Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was unimpressed with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's time-wasting antics during the Merseyside Derby in the Premier League on April 24.
The Toffees are embroiled in a tight relegation scrap with Burnley, who beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 earlier in the day. That placed Everton in the bottom three ahead of a huge battle with Liverpool.
In a cagey affair between the two sides, there were plenty of flare-ups and moments of tension. The Reds certainly felt aggrieved with some of Everton's antics during the match, especially in the first half.
Klopp touched on this, telling BBC Sport that his side had come to expect of it, saying (via AnfieldWatch):
"We expected it [Everton's tactics] but we didn't react well. It's difficult. Each ball Jordan Pickford has he takes five minutes so we couldn't gain rhythm which you need to break down a low block. We expected them to do it."
The moments that Klopp alludes to with regard to Pickford involve the goalkeeper clutching the ball for a prolonged moment of time.
Quite comically in the second-half, with the game at 2-0, Alisson Becker imitated Pickford's fall to the ground with the ball in his hands. It was a witty dig at the antics that the Toffees had adopted in what was always going to be a difficult game for the relegation candidates.
Liverpool finally broke through Everton's stern defense
It was arguably one of Everton's best performances of the season, despite their tactics in the first half. From a defensive perspective, they managed to keep Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota at bay throughout a cagey first-half.
Once Divock Origi, the pantomime villain of the piece in the eyes of Everton fans, was introduced in the 60th minute, danger was ahead. The Belgian striker now has six goals in nine Merseyside derbies in the Premier League.
The Reds put the pressure on in the second-half, with Everton having adopted a deep block to try and stave off the onslaught.
Andy Robertson's header and Divock Origi's strike, however, broke Evertonian hearts. They now have it all to do in what promises to be a tense relegation battle.
Next up for Everton is a trip to Stamford Bridge where Frank Lampard will come up against his former club Chelsea.
Liverpool entertain Villarreal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, 27 April. They will then face a tricky Newcastle United side next weekend in the Premier League.
zebaelmy
2
Pickford is the most annoying keeper. Only good in time wasting and shouting at his own team players. He should look at the mirror himself!
Wakbdmpuyz
2
And you won’t talk about the penalty..foul on Gordon Uk media..
Rasacektuz
1
1. GORDON GAINING REPUTATION FOR DIVING Unfortunately, Everton’s Anthony Gordon is in danger of picking up a reputation for trying to con referees — and that won’t help him in his career. He tried to fool Stuart Attwell into thinking Naby Keita had fouled him in the box when he hadn’t. It was an obvious dive and, with VAR, players should know they cannot get away with penalty-box antics any more. Someone ought to remind the youngster of that. In the second half, Gordon went down again when Joel Matip challenged him. Everton screamed for a penalty, but Attwell got this one right too. There wasn’t enough for a spot-kick and playing on was the correct call.  2. REDS HAD ENOUGH OF ‘INJURED’ RICHARLISON Richarlison had already frustrated Liverpool’s players by going down claiming he was injured. So when it happened again shortly before half-time, the hosts weren’t in the mood for kicking the ball out. Liverpool played on — as was their right because it wasn’t a head injury — and Everton weren’t happy. Abdoulaye Doucoure ended up fouling Fabinho to force Attwell into pausing play. Doucoure rightly received a yellow card for that, but it instigated a skirmish between both sets of players and that is when Attwell will have known he is refereeing a proper Merseyside derby. Richarlison later kicked out at Jordan Henderson in frustration and received a yellow card. It was the right decision as nothing more was needed.......
cascdnpsz
0
But Liverpool goalkeeper also copy Everton action and the fans got a good laugh at it.
slotmighty1
0
he was trying to say he expect Everton to go home with zero point