‘Maybe that’s to be expected when you come here’
Everton manager Frank Lampard suggested that ‘questionable’ VAR decisions might be ‘expected’ when teams play at Anfield.
The Toffees fell to a 2-0 defeat against the Reds at Anfield on Sunday thanks to goals from Andy Robertson and substitute Divock Origi, with Everton dropping into the relegation zone for the first time since December 2019.
After a tense first half, Jurgen Klopp’s side eventually broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute through left-back Robertson, before Origi doubled the Reds’ lead with five minutes remaining.
Controversy at Anfield
However, there were a number of controversial incidents throughout the Premier League tie, and Blues boss Lampard believes that certain decisions went against his team.
Anthony Gordon was booked for simulation in the first half, before later being brought down inside the penalty area by Joel Matip. Referee Stuart Attwell quickly waved away Everton’s appeals for a penalty.
Sadio Mane also appeared to poke Toffees defender Mason Holgate in the face, with fans on social media insisting that the Senegalese international should’ve been sent off.
🗣 "If you look back with that on VAR, there's questionable things going on, maybe that's to be expected when you come here [Anfield]."
Frank Lampard had his say on Everton's penalty shout and a potential red card for Sadio Mane pic.twitter.com/XI5aXZ3mp9
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 24, 2022
When asked if he thinks his side were denied an obvious penalty, Lampard told Sky Sports: “Yeah, I think it was. I’m not sure how clear-cut it was, but the referee was quick to whip out a yellow card when the little stuff was going off in the middle of the pitch.
“I think if you look back at that with VAR there’s some questionable things going on with that too. Maybe that’s to be expected when you come here [Anfield].”
Toffees’ tough run-in
Everton dropped below Burnley – who defeated Wolves 1-0 – into the relegation zone after the defeat to Liverpool, with the Toffees’ next match seeing them host Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Related links:
- Alisson trolls Jordan Pickford during Liverpool’s Merseyside derby win over Everton
- Fans think Sadio Mane should have been sent off in first half of Merseyside derby
- Tino Livramento given oxygen and stretchered off in Brighton draw
