Wayne Rooney hammers Everton’s players as he reveals what really ‘cost’ them at Liverpool
Everton lacked defensive solidity as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday.
David Moyes’ men have successfully maintained clean sheets in a win over Brighton and a draw with Aston Villa, but Liverpool got the better of Everton on 20 September to continue their dominance over their Merseyside rivals.
The Toffees will vie to bounce back from their setback when they face Wolves in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, 23 September.
Meanwhile, Everton are set to retain Jarrad Branthwaite despite interest in the 23-year-old from Liverpool and Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney tears into Everton for the goals they conceded against Liverpool
Everton showed character at Anfield, thanks to Idrissa Gana Gueye’s second-half strike, but the damage had already been done as Liverpool had scored through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike.
Speaking about the goals that Moyes’ side conceded on The Wayne Rooney show, the former England star outlined: “First half, I thought Everton were poor, which sometimes happens at Anfield, when Everton go there.
“The goals were sloppy goals, Gana Gueye didn’t track back and Michael Keane, maybe, got sucked over a little bit too far.
“But the goals were sloppy goals and when you go into a derby, you know you have to shuffle hard and you have to track back, and stay with your runners and that cost everything, and that’s ultimately what won Liverpool the game.”
David Moyes must bounce back from Liverpool setback
After relying on Moyes to steer them clear of relegation last term, Everton have enjoyed a decent start to the new Premier League season, earning two wins from five top-flight fixtures.
| Everton’s next three fixtures | All competitions 2025/26 |
| Wolves (A) | 23/09, EFL Cup |
| West Ham (H) | 29/09, Premier League |
| Crystal Palace (H) | 05/10, Premier League |
The Merseyside outfit also navigated the challenge posed by League One side Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup last month, handing them their tie against Premier League strugglers Wolves on 23 September.
Everton successfully bounced back from their defeat to Leeds United in the top flight’s opening weekend with three successive wins across all competitions.
The Toffees will now have to perform a similar feat again, following their narrow defeat to local rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
Everton’s EFL Cup clash with Wolves is a game they must win, as they vie to win their first significant silverware since their FA Cup triumph in 1995.
Meanwhile, the Blues must defeat West Ham United in their next Premier League game amid the Hammers’ growing struggles.