Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool yesterday evening.
Gary Neville has told Monday Night Football, which was broadcast on Sky Sports on 19th December, that he was shocked by Everton’s display in the first 20 minutes of their match against Liverpool last night.
Everton came flying out of the blocks in the Merseyside derby, as they looked to press Liverpool into submission.
Ronald Koeman’s side looked the better team for the opening 20 minutes, with their intensity managing to catch their Merseyside rivals off guard.
However, Everton tired as the game progressed, and Liverpool got more and more of a foothold.
The Reds began to dominate possession in the second-half, and they eventually broke through when Sadio Mane tapped home in the last minute.
Neville feels that Everton’s effort could not be questioned during the contest, but the former Manchester United defender believes Ronald Koeman’s side ‘suffered’ in the second-half.
“The first 20 minutes surprised me,” he said. “They were more passive in their other games. It was what Koeman wanted, in terms of pressing and tackling. It was classic Goodison Park.
“But at half-time there was always going to be a dip. They suffered badly in the second half. The effort they gave was fantastic all night.”
Everton’s defeat to Liverpool means that they are now in ninth place in the Premier League table – 14 points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side.
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