Everton’s spirited second-half fightback at Anfield ended in disappointment as they fell 2-1 to Liverpool, with Jack Grealish and David Moyes voicing strong frustrations over refereeing decisions, particularly around stoppage time and quick free-kicks.
Liverpool established control early in the game through Ryan Gravenberch’s opener, followed by Hugo Ekitiké doubling the lead. Everton looked second best for much of the first half but came out with renewed energy after the break. Idrissa Gueye halved the deficit and sparked a wave of pressure as the visitors pushed for an equaliser, forcing Liverpool to dig deep defensively.
Despite Everton’s momentum, the match was overshadowed by controversy. Grealish, who endured a series of fouls throughout, was booked after the final whistle for protesting to referee Darren England. He expressed his disbelief at what he considered inconsistent decisions, pointing to quick free-kicks being pulled back and minimal added time. According to Grealish, the referee’s approach disrupted Everton’s rhythm just as they were finding their stride.
Moyes echoed those frustrations, particularly over the three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the match. Everton’s manager described the situation as “unbelievable,” noting that his players were penalised for attempting to restart play quickly, only to see Liverpool awarded free-kicks for far less. He suggested that the home crowd influenced some decisions, adding to Everton’s sense of injustice.
The defeat was made even harder to accept given Everton’s vastly improved second-half display. Their pressing unsettled Liverpool, who had to rely on resilience rather than attacking dominance to secure the points. Grealish highlighted how the interruptions and cautions worked against a team chasing the game, leaving Everton unable to fully capitalise on their momentum.
For Liverpool, the win marked a fifth successive league victory and a much-needed show of mental strength. Having squandered two-goal leads in previous games before rallying late, this time they managed to withstand pressure without surrendering control completely. Their manager praised the side’s determination, especially considering the intensity of playing three matches in a single week.
While Liverpool celebrated maintaining their perfect start, Everton departed Anfield feeling aggrieved, believing that questionable refereeing robbed them of a fair chance to rescue a point. The debate over stoppage-time management and the handling of quick free-kicks is unlikely to fade quickly, particularly after such a high-stakes derby clash.
