Tim Sherwood baffled by Pickford incident in Everton v Liverpool
Jordan Pickford made a “poor error” after what he did for Everton in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, according to Tim Sherwood.
The two cross-city rivals drew 2-2 on Wednesday night (12 February) in one last trip across Stanley Park for the league leaders, in the final Merseyside contest to be played at Goodison Park.
The contest ended in true memorable fashion, as James Tarkowski grabbed a 98th-minute equaliser to send L4 into raptures after Mo Salah had put Liverpool in front.
Beto gave the Toffees an early lead before Alexis Mac Allister quickly levelled for the red side, with Sherwood baffled by what happened in the build-up to the first-half equaliser.
Pickford blasted by Sherwood as Everton concede
Sherwood didn’t hold back on England’s number one when Liverpool scored, describing Pickford as committing a “poor error” live on Sky Sports (12 February, 19:46).
The pundit also criticised eventual goal hero Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite for the lacklustre way in which they dealt with the goal, as Salah set up Mac Allister to score.
Everton are 15th in the Premier League table following the result as Merseyside derby action closes forever at Goodison in typical breathless style.
“Jordan Pickford has not even dived… if he dives, he saves it. It’s like he thinks it’s going wide,” Sherwood said.
“It’s a poor error. I think Pickford has to save it, and the two defenders, Tarkowski and Branthwaite, will not be happy with the way they’ve defended it.”
Iliman Ndiaye injury a crucial blow
Everton weathered Liverpool, gave as good as they received and grabbed their point in the dying embers, but a key blow for David Moyes will be the injury during the first half to Iliman Ndiaye.
Leading the club’s scoring charts in all competitions with eight goals, Ndiaye was a creative spark which the Toffees had lacked for so long, providing Everton some magic moments this term.
It remains uncertain how long the Senegalese will spend on the sidelines, with the Blues hoping they have enough in the tank without his flair going forward.
Next up is a trip south to the capital, taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (15 February) where a win by a two-goal margin would leapfrog Oliver Glasner’s side.