Ronald Koeman gives his verdict on Everton display against Liverpool
By Matt Farr
Everton manager Ronald Koeman believes his side did not deserve to lose against Liverpool on Monday night.
The Toffees were beaten 1-0 by their Merseyside rivals thanks to Sadio Mane’s injury-time effort, which saw Everton miss an opportunity to go seventh in the Premier League.
The hosts dominated the first-half but posed little threat to Simon Mignolet’s goal, but they could not keep up their high-intensity game in the second period.
However, despite registering just one shot on target, one corner and just 32% possession, Koeman does not think his side were deserving of the defeat.
Everton’s official Twitter account revealed Koeman’s response to the game: “It’s a big disappointment. I think the team played really well.
“I think the first 45 minutes we were outstanding, we maybe had to score the goal to have a little bit more of a comfortable situation in the second half.
“They created a little bit more, but the eight minutes was a little bit too long to keep the draw. To keep a clean sheet, maybe you need a little more luck.
“We did not deserve a defeat today, but ok, not always in life you get what you deserve.”
While Liverpool shoot up to second in the Premier League, Everton remain in ninth with just one win in their last seven league games.
The defeat also extended Everton’s winless run in the Merseyside derby to 13 games, stretching over five years back.
Everton’s last Merseyside derby win over Liverpool was in October 2010, when goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta handed them a 2-0 win at Goodison Park.
They have also failed to score in four of their last six meetings with Liverpool, including their last two.
They will look to redeem themselves against 15th-placed Leicester on Boxing Day.
In other Everton news, this is how the players rated during the defeat.