Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Mon 20 April 2026 7:10, UK

Thierno Barry delivered a poor performance after coming on as a late substitute during Everton‘s heartbreaking 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday.

The striker was brought on for Beto in the 73rd minute of the maiden Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but was unable to make any sort of impact.

If anything, he was guilty of playing a role in the Reds’ last-gasp winning goal. His lack of effort off the ball piled the pressure on the Toffees, and in the end, they cracked.

With 100 minutes on the clock, Virgil van Dijk rose highest to crash home a header from a corner, dealing the hosts’ ambitions of European football a major setback.

Everton’s Champions League challenge is over and they now face an uphill struggle to qualify for any competition, having lost ground on a truly bruising weekend.

How did Thierno Barry play vs Liverpool?

It’s an understatement to suggest that the home crowd were not happy with Barry’s efforts after he replaced Beto, who had impressed and netted the Toffees’ equaliser.

While he was rarely given the ball during the closing stages, the ace did little to help himself, having failed to make runs down the channels to ease the one-way traffic.

This allowed Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to settle into a rhythm and control the tempo of the match, which eventually set the scene for Liverpool’s late dagger.

Beto was all-action during his 73-minute runout, whereas Barry paled in comparison. The latter took just 10 touches and couldn’t muster up a single attempt on goal.

According to FotMob, Barry completed only four passes and won two of his four aerial duels. It was clear that the hosts needed more from him, but he was dreadfully off the pace.

His performance was also a poorly-timed reminder that he remains a work in progress at Hill Dickinson. Indeed, he is far from a polished, finished product.

Beto better, Barry future now at risk

The sheer gulf currently between Beto and Barry was evident on Sunday.

Everton’s leveller came after good work from the former, who slid in to challenge Van Dijk and touched home. Barry, meanwhile, arrived too late for a Dwight McNeil cross.

While Beto looks to have found his rhythm, his rival for the No 9 spot looks short on confidence and, at times, the quality needed to lead the line in the Premier League.

With David Moyes holding big ambitions, there is no room for passengers. Barry must therefore buck up his ideas if he is to have any future on Merseyside beyond next season.

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