Kevin Campbell says referee ‘bottled it’ vs Liverpool, thinks Everton squad ‘disgraceful’ for away form
Kevin Campbell thinks the referee ‘bottled it’ when opting not to give Everton a penalty against Liverpool, and labelled what has happened at the club as ‘disgraceful’.
The Toffees fell into the bottom three for the first time this season after a 2-0 defeat at Anfield, but the result didn’t come without controversy as Anthony Gordon was denied a clear penalty.
Jamie Carragher agreed with Campbell that they were hard done by while speaking on Super Sunday, while saying the players need to ‘look at themselves’ for ‘cheating the manager and supporters’.
“I thought the referee bottled it a little bit if I’m honest with you,” Campbell said. “I thought that was a decision to be made. But he didn’t make it.”
“I agree with you,” Carragher replied. “But do you think the Everton players have bottled it this season?
“Watching that there, they’re cheating the manager and the supporters. To put in a performance like that against the best team in Europe, one of the best teams in the world, to make that a fight, to make it difficult.
“Everton haven’t won an away game since August. They come here, one of the toughest places in Europe to go to now, and make that as difficult as they did for Liverpool, they need to look at themselves some of those players.
“They’re in the bottom three now fighting for their lives, but they need to go into the bottom three to start fighting for their lives?”
“I do [agree],” Campbell added. “I think what’s happened at Everton Football Club with the playing staff has been nothing short of disgraceful.
“Look there’s been a lot of money spent on the squad, and when you spend a lot of money on the squad you expect to be higher up in the league.
“A club like Everton to not win an away game since August is ridiculous. It really is. If you pick up even a few draws you’re not in the position you’re in. But you know they’ve been poor.”
Reality check
It’s been a long time coming, but Everton now find themselves in the worst position they’ve been in this season and the light at the end of the tunnel is dimming.
Eight defeats away from home in the Premier League was branded as ‘ridiculous’ by Campbell, but it seems to be a reality check for some of these players.
At Goodison Park they turn up and perform well regularly but when the fans aren’t on their back, they seem to ease up. Granted they performed well at Anfield and aren’t meant to win that game, but the overall record is poor.
There are so many things wrong at the club currently, but until their Premier League safety is secured it’s hard to address those issues properly.
On the pitch they’re in deep, deep trouble and on current evidence they need a miracle to save themselves.
In other Everton news, ‘Obvious’ – Ex-FIFA referee gives verdict on major incident during Everton loss v Liverpool
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