Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Mon 20 April 2026 19:40, UK

Everton‘s defeat to Liverpool may have turned out differently had Dwight McNeil not gifted the Reds their opening goal.

The Toffees were beaten 2-1 in the first-ever Merseyside Derby last Sunday, and at no point were they officially ahead in the contest.

Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half effort was ruled out, moments before Everton’s Kryptonite, Mohamed Salah, slotted past Jordan Pickford to grab his last-ever Merseyside derby goal.

However, the goal came about through a mistake from McNeil, who lost the ball to Cody Gakpo, who then set up Liverpool’s Egyptian winger.

McNeil’s mistake was poor, but his overall performance was just as insulting for the Blues, if not worse.

What did Dwight McNeil say after mistake vs Liverpool?

McNeil almost joined Crystal Palace for £20million in the winter transfer window before a late collapse prevented the move from happening.

Credit to David Moyes, who has given the winger another chance to impress at Hill Dickinson, as the player has given it his all, in fairness to him.

However, a good work ethic doesn’t make up for a poor performance, as the 26-year-old picked up a team-worst FotMob rating of 5.6. He also had 0 per cent shot accuracy with a lacklustre 20 per cent crossing success.

The right-winger played 80 minutes and was hooked after making one clear and obvious error that essentially cost Everton the game.

What also doesn’t make up for a terrible display are apologies, as the Englishman made his feelings clear after the game.

McNeil said, quoted by the Liverpool Echo: “I’ve watched it [the mistake] back about 10 times already. I keep watching it back because it’s my pass inside goes straight to Gakpo, and he passes straight to Salah.

“That’s what happens at this top level, especially against Liverpool, they punish you. That will sit with me for a long time because I know that was my fault for the goal.”

David Moyes already has McNeil’s replacement lined up for West Ham

McNeil gives his all, and it could have been easy for him to down tools after not getting the move that he wanted in Janaury.

He’s stuck at it and given his all for the badge, but there is a reason why so many supporters were baffled to see Palace offer £20m.

Moyes will most likely keep McNeil on the bench for Everton’s next Premier League match, which comes against West Ham on Saturday.

He’ll need to be replaced, and playing Tyrique George seems like the move to make right now.

The winger has his own battles to face in an Everton shirt, with his Chelsea future looking uncertain, and a run in the first team could do him the world of good.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.