Why Gerrard got it
wrong...
Read Ian Ladyman's verdict on why the
Liverpool captain was wide of the mark HERE
Gerrard may be interested to
know that, on Sunday, Everton enjoyed 56.2 per cent of the
possession, had 16 shots compared to Liverpool’s 13, and completed
400 passes — 86 more than his Liverpool
outfit.
Interestingly, 13.8 per cent
of Everton’s passes were long, compared to Liverpool’s 16.6 per
cent.
Steven Gerrard has admitted his criticism of
Everton after the Merseyside derby on Sunday was over the top as he
drew a line under the controversy.
The Liverpool captain was furious after the game and, in
the heat of the moment, he said Everton’s tactics were similar to
those of Stoke, as he claimed they played a number of long
balls.
His frustration stemmed from Liverpool having a last-gasp
winner from Luis Suarez wrongly disallowed at Goodison Park and he
made a number of inflammatory comments, such as Liverpool were the
only team interested in playing football.
However, statistics that were published following the
pulsating 2-2 draw showed that Everton enjoyed more possession and
significantly out-passed Liverpool, which is why Gerrard has felt
the need to issue a retraction.
‘Just to clarify I’ve watched the game again and I’ve seen
some of Everton’s matches this season, and what I said in relation
to their style of play went too far,’ Gerrard.
‘I was frustrated by the disallowed goal from Luis when I
spoke and also some of the things that have been said about Luis in
recent weeks, which haven’t been fair in my
opinion.
‘As captain I have a duty to stand up for our players when
I feel they are unfairly singled out. But it wasn’t my intention to
disrespect Everton or Stoke for that matter and I certainly didn’t
intend any disrespect to their manager or
players.’
Gerrard was eager to stress that he had no intended to
upset the respective managers of Everton and told the Liverpool
Echo: ‘I have the utmost respect for David Moyes and Tony Pulis and
the job they have done at their respective clubs.
‘My main issue was with the goal that wasn’t given and
that Liverpool did not get the three points I felt we deserved in
what was a fantastic derby match.’
Standing up for his club: Phil Jagielka has hit back at
Steven Gerrard
It comes after Phil Jagielka hit back at Gerrard’s
with his own barbed comments about Liverpool’s style of
play.
Everton were incensed by Gerrard’s comments following
Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, particularly as stats for the
game showed they made more passes (448 to 314) and enjoyed more
possession (56 per cent to 44 per cent) than Liverpool.
While Jagielka was happy to admit Everton could be direct
when they want to be, to utilise the strength and aerial prowess of
Marouane Fellaini, he suggested that Liverpool’s methods of always
wanting to play on the ground are flawed.
'If Stevie says we are a long ball team then I’m not going
to deny the fact that we play long balls,’ said Jagielka. ‘Do we
play them for the full 90 minutes? No. But we play quite
direct.
'Who wouldn’t when you have someone in form like Marouane
Fellaini, who can bring the ball down for fun and we start creating
things from there? Why wouldn’t you do that? We don’t believe in
passing it around for half an hour for the sake of
it.
'If we can put the ball forward and cause them trouble
then let’s cause them as much trouble as possible. We won’t change
the way we play. We won’t start to look to put in a thousand passes
a game.
'If we need to play forward to Felli to create chances, or
to Nikica Jelavic or to Victor Anichebe, then guess what? That’s
what we’ll do.’
Hitting out: Gerrard compared Everton to Stoke
Focal point: But Everton were not guilty of long-balls
to Marouane Fellaini
He did, however, acknowledge that Everton do have a number
of skilful players who have made significant contributions this
season.
'I believe there were two different styles,’ said Rodgers.
‘This is a club brought up with a certain way of playing. Its
history has been defined by the many great managers who have been
here. You have to win games but you have to win games by playing in
a certain style.
'It’s the beauty of the Premier League - there are so many
diverse ways of working and playing. We play a certain way.
If you look at Everton and a number of other teams, they are a bit
more direct and then play off the front players.
'But they have players with finesse like Leighton Baines
and Leon Osman, who are terrific footballers. For us here at
Liverpool, there’s a way in which we play and want to win games.
the supporters and the history of the club dictates
that.’
There is a feeling amongst Evertonians that Gerrard’s
comments have shown that David Moyes’ squad have started to get
under Liverpool’s skin. Everton are six points ahead of their
neighbours and aim to finish above them in the table for the second
successive year.
'I suppose it’s a backhanded compliment,’ said Jagielka.
‘Stevie must have thought Liverpool were in a game to come out
which such comments. It makes you chuckle, but if Stevie is saying
things like that, there must be a reason behind it which must be
that we are doing something well.'
