Ian Rush dismisses Liverpool v Everton controversy, Anthony Gordon and Richarlison as divers
Ian Rush says it is “no coincidence” that Everton have the most bookings for diving this season, after controversy in the Merseyside derby.
Anthony Gordon was booked for simulation and denied a second penalty in the 2-0 loss at Anfield, while ex-Liverpool player Jamie Carragher attracted criticism for demanding Richarlison “get up” on commentary after he had rolled his ankle.
But in both cases Reds legend Rush has sided with referee Stuart Attwell and suggested the Toffees pair deserve a reputation, as it emerged after the game that six of the 12 yellow cards for the offence this year have gone to the club (SI).
He told Gambling.com: “Much has been made of the Everton penalty claim with Joel Matip tangling with Anthony Gordon but the reality of the situation is that it’s a 50-50 call.
“The problem referees have with 50-50s like that is that players go down far too easily these days, making it more difficult for the ref to make a decision.
“I’m not just talking about Gordon by the way – Richarlison went down too easily at least three times. It’s no coincidence Everton have more yellow cards for diving than any other side in the league this season.
“I understand Everton’s approach, they needed to do whatever they could to try and get a result out of a difficult game, but it wasn’t pretty, and it didn’t work because Liverpool eventually broke them down.”
Surprise surprise
You would probably be hard pressed to find many associated with the red half of Merseyside who would suggest Everton were hard done by in the derby.
While Frank Lampard is now in trouble with the FA for his comments about the decisions that went against his side, others wanted to focus on time-wasting by Jordan Pickford.
Players on various teams build up reputations for going down to easily, Anfield stars such as Mohamed Salah and Steven Gerrard included, and it may factor in the mind of officials.
But whether the reputations are fair or not the referee is supposed to judge every decision on merit.
Carragher was forced to admit that he had been “harsh” on the Brazilian attacker once replays showed he was hurt (talkSPORT), and VAR should have been able to give Attwell a clear look at the second penalty claim.
The reputation players get tends to arise more from the amount of coverage incidents get than the frequency of them.
Gordon and Richarlison will be remembered at least for the near-future as likely to simulate, whether as players on other teams who do the same will be forgotten.
Decisions are supposed to even out over a period of time, but Lampard and his players don’t have time for that, and need things to start going in their favour now to avoid the disaster of relegation.
In other Everton news, the refereeing body admitted to Richard Keys they would have had no problem with a penalty being awarded for Gordon.
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