LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton is challenged by Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on September 20, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
David Moyes has to axe Vitalii Mykolenko after first-half scenes vs Liverpool, he’s costing Everton
David Moyes has to make a change with Everton 2-0 down against Liverpool.
Vitalii Mykolenko came into the Everton team in the only change from the side that drew 0-0 with Aston Villa, but he did not have the desired impact.
Alexander Isak was on the bench for Liverpool, but they still managed to get in front in the Anfield clash.
The Blues need to shake things up if they are to have any chance of clawing their way back into the contest.
Everton make the short trip to Anfield next.
Credit: Imago
Vitalii Mykolenko should be axed, he does not look fit
Mykolenko’s status for Everton’s clash with Liverpool was in doubt, but Moyes sprung a surprise when he was named in the team.
However, it appears that the gamble to put him back in straight away has not paid off, as the Reds have focused most of their attacking play down his side.
He has responded a few times, but Arne Slot’s side have had significant success, and Ryan Gravenberch’s goal came from the Toffees’ left, and he was completely bypassed whenHugo Ekitike made it two.
The Ukraine star managed to block one shot as per Sofascore, but he did not win a single duel of the three that he attempted in his dismal first-half showing.
Moyes needs to take the 25-year-old off the pitch at the break; otherwise, the champions will continue to exploit him.
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Vitalii Mykolenko’s stats at HT versus Liverpool.
Mykolenko’s stats at the break vs the Reds.
David Moyes’ grim Anfield record looks set to continue
The Toffees face a tough task bringing back a two-goal deficit at a ground where their manager has such a poor record, with 22 previous matches without victory.
The Reds have been vulnerable when leading so far this season, but Moyes’ side have not created the kind of chances that they need to, to get back into the game.
Everton had three shots in the first half of the Merseyside derby
Zero shots on target, with the hosts having two
They created just 0.22xG compared to the Reds’ 0.73
Mykolenko has failed to provide an attacking presence, as well as struggling defensively, so, he should be replaced.
Moyes does not look primed to break his hoodoo at the stadium that the Blues originally built, unless he makes a drastic change or a couple of them.
Jack Grealish Slates Referee for Applying Rule He’s ‘Never Heard’
Jack Grealish hit out at the referee for enforcing a Premier League rule that he has ‘never heard of in his life’ in a furious post-match interview.
Liverpool earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton at Anfield on Saturday.
Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Hugo Ekitike doubled his side’s advantage with a cool finish.
Everton came out fighting in the second-half and were rewarded for their resilience when Idrissa Gueye pulled one back just before the hour mark.
The Toffees continued to press in search of an equaliser as David Moyes’ side picked up the tempo.
In the second-half, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall looked to take a quick free-kick to catch Liverpool’s defence off guard until match referee Darren England intervened.
England not only denied the quick free-kick but also booked Dewsbury-Hall to the dismay of Moyes and TNT Sports commentators Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist, who both questioned the decision.
Jack Grealish remonstrates with Darren England during Liverpool vs. Everton. Image: Getty
Jack Grealish remonstrates with Darren England during Liverpool vs. Everton. Image: Getty
After the game, Grealish conducted an interview with TNT Sports and slammed England’s decision to show Dewsbury-Hall a yellow card for taking a quick free-kick.
The 30-year-old bemoaned the caution and said he has never seen a player receive a booking for that infraction.
“I’ve never seen a player in my whole life get booked for taking a quick free-kick…. I don’t know where that rule has come in,” he exclaimed.
Jack Grealish cuts a frustrated figure during the Merseyside derby. Image: Getty
Jack Grealish cuts a frustrated figure during the Merseyside derby. Image: Getty
On the Merseyside derby, Grealish added: “It was what I expected, coming here it was hostile, faster. I don’t think we played well in the first-half, we came in a half-time and had a chat with the manager and then second half, we lost the game in the second half.
“Frustrating because if we had played like that, pressed like that from the start it would have been a different game. In the end we couldn’t get that last goal.
“When I have watched them [Liverpool] this season they have been so good but there has been a few times they have gone 2-0 up and then conceded two, we had the belief. We got the one back, a great finish Idrissa [Gueye] but we couldn’t get that last goal.”
It was another stellar performance from Grealish, who was unable to inspire his side to victory.
Everton return to action next Tuesday when they face Wolves in the Carabao Cup before resuming their league campaign against West Ham United on September 29.
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