Former Everton captain Phil Neville mocks Jurgen Klopp over Liverpool-Tottenham drama, ‘ready’ for Merseyside derby replay
Phil Neville says he is “ready for the replay” of a contentious past Merseyside derby as the former Everton midfielder reacted sarcastically to Jurgen Klopp’s comments on VAR.
The ex-Toffees captain responded to a fan on Twitter on 4 October to “agree” that the 2007 clash between the two should be re-run as it ended in a 2-1 Liverpool win after Dirk Kuyt escaped a red for a flying challenge on him to score both his side’s goals.
Klopp had insisted earlier the same day that a replay of his side’s defeat at Tottenham on 30 September was “the only way” thanks to Luis Diaz’s goal being erroneously ruled out by a major VAR error [Sky Sports, 4 October].
In response a supporter posted an image of Kuyt flying in on Neville and a claim the game 16 years ago should restart, to which the former England international replied: “I agree – I will get my boots ready for the replay!”
Overboard
Nobody can deny that Liverpool were wrongly denied at goal at Spurs, but Klopp genuinely calling for a replay makes little sense and was always going to wind up every other fanbase in the country.
Social media was instantly awash with examples of Liverpool benefiting from refereeing errors and lucky decisions, highlighting the fact that if a replay was held it would no-doubt then be called for after 99% of matches forever more.
All supporters will have a list of results that stick in their minds thanks to injustices against their club and Everton have more than most in just the past couple of years.
Mike Riley apologised to Bill Kenwright a year and a half ago after possibly the most glaring example when Rodri was somehow not penalised for a handball in the area, in a game which Everton lost 1-0 to Manchester City [Sky Sports].
And Liverpool themselves have benefited from controversial decisions against Everton in both of the past two seasons as well, with Virgil van Dijk escaping a red card for a challenge on Amadou Onana while Conor Coady’s apparent winner was ruled out in the 0-0 draw last season, and Anthony Gordon denied a penalty at Anfield the campaign before and Frank Lampard was fined for his comments as a result.
There will of course be instances where things have gone in the Toffees’ favour, but every side will have a huge list of gripes, and as one of the dominant teams in recent years Liverpool have got the benefit of more than most.
Officiating in this country is all too often well below standard, but suddenly replaying one game out of hundreds over it is completely unrealistic.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are eyeing a possible swoop for an unexpected free transfer amid contract exit talks.