Anybody disagree with this then?
'Robles was like a dad in the back garden, letting the kids score'
The national media were unforgiving of Everton's error-strewn derby defeat
BY
GREG O’KEEFFE
It doesn't make for easy reading.
The national media pulled no punches this morning when it comes to
Everton .
Blues fans know full well how badly their side played during the latest defeat at Anfield, but just in case they didn't the other papers were suitably scathing with their assessments.
Jonathan Northcroft in the Sunday Times was deeply unimpressed by the visitiors.
On Divock Origi's third goal he writes: 'A good shot. But it was straight down the middle and Joel Robles, for a third time in the match, simply watched as a ball sailed into his net.
'Was this some bizarre homage to Alan Rough? Or an impression of a dad in the back garden, letting the kids score? Either way it rather typified Everton. They didn’t lay a glove on Liverpool, not when it counted.'
Jonathan was equally dismissive of Ross Barkley and Romleu Lukaku's contributions.
He writes: 'When the offerings from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku were so pitiful, given their reputations? When the equaliser was followed almost immediately by conceding again? When Robles was playing statues?
Robles was woeful but Lukaku is the real letdown for Everton
Joel Robles during training at Finch Farm
'The biggest contrast was between the No 10s. If Barkley played like a spiteful child, lucky to remain on the pitch after three bookable tackles in the opening 40 minutes, Coutinho played like the mature leader of his team.
'Age wasn’t the difference (Barkley is 23, Coutinho 24), game intelligence seemed to be.'
The Observer also noted Lukaku's lack of impact on the contest, as the striker failed to muster a single shot.
'Lukaku might have done better, though the story of Everton’s afternoon was that Lukaku was hardly in the game,' writes Paul Wilson.
'Everton can always rely on their neighbours to put any hint of a revival into perspective.
Pennington insists Blues lucky to have chance to atone for derby defeat
Ross Barkley protests his innocence after a challenge on Liverpool's Dejan Lovren
'Cue (to the tune of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow) “You haven’t won a trophy since 1995”.'
Inspired by the presence of Liverpool fan Daniel Craig at the game, Steve Bates took a James Bond theme with his verdict.
'James Bond has come across a few villains in his time but Everton had a couple of their own on show at Anfield,' he writes.
'Watching celebrity Kop fan Daniel Craig has taken down his fair share of bad guys on the big screen.
So maybe he offered Everton boss Ronald Koeman a few tips on the best way to get himself out of a tricky situation with Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley as he left Liverpoolyesterday.
'Bond baddies usually threaten world peace or national security.
'James Bond shouldn't support Liverpool' - talkSPORT presenter has meltdown
Actor Daniel Craig in the stands
'But if Koeman isn’t careful the growing saga over the futures of Lukaku and Barkley will turn into a circus that’s certain to destabilise Goodison Park...
Everton didn't lose their bottle, they lost their minds
'It’s already a big talking point that has split fans, and after a day to forget for Lukaku and Barkley maybe those who are desperate to see the pair stay at Everton may well shift their position.
'The duo are Everton’s crown jewels.
'But there was nothing sparkling about their performances yesterday as Liverpool strengthened their top-four hand with a comprehensive win over their depleted rivals.
'Considering Everton’s shocking derby record after failing to win at Anfield since 1999, that’s no great surprise.'
