Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand wowed by Ashley Young moment for Everton v Liverpool
TNT Sports’ commentary team of Darren Fletcher, Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand were wowed by the challenge Ashley Young made to deny Luis Diaz for Everton against Liverpool.
The defender came flying back to make a crucial block after Liverpool hit on a rapid counter-attack from a corner, and if he had not been there to send the ball over the bar, the Reds would have taken the lead.
McCoist and Ferdinand in particular were wowed by the challenge and questioned how, at 38 years old, Young is still capable of moments like that, before going on to get sent off.
Speaking live on TNT Sports‘ coverage of the game, Fletcher exclaimed: “Really good defending. Ashley Young at 38 [years old], still playing in the Premier League, still playing at the top level, and proving his worth there for Everton.”
McCoist replied in shock at the challenge: “What a tackle that is. Talk to me about that. He does really well to get back,” before Ferdinand chipped in: “That is a goal-saving tackle. I mean, I’ve played with Ashley Young, how he’s still doing this at this age [I don’t know].”
A huge moment
Young has come in for some criticism after a poor start to his Goodison Park career, and at times has looked off the pace at his age, but the challenge he made to deny Diaz looked to have made up for any criticism before what happened after.
To still have the athleticism and drive to fly back to cover a counterattack from Diaz alongside Mohammed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota, three of the most deadly forwards in the Premier League, is a testament to the level Young is at.
Ferdinand’s description of the moment as “goal-saving” is perfectly accurate. If Young wasn’t there, there was little Jordan Pickford would have been able to do to deny the Colombian forward from close range.
The 38-year-old was expected to have a tough time against the pace and trickery of Diaz but proved to be a match for him in the early stages of the game, and was able to keep his team level at 0-0 longer than might have been the case otherwise.
In other Everton news, a journalist has shared new concerns around 777 Partners.