Jack Grealish’s Everton loan spell has been full of bright moments, but frustration stole the spotlight in the latest Merseyside derby.
The Toffees fell 2-1 to Liverpool at Anfield, and Grealish ended the night with a yellow card and plenty to say about the officiating.
The England international was one of Everton’s most dangerous players, driving attacks and creating chances. Yet the closing stages turned sour when a series of decisions from the referee left the visitors seething.
Grealish, clearly unhappy, approached the officials after the final whistle alongside manager David Moyes. He had to be pulled back by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford before tempers flared further.
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A derby decided by more than goals
Everton’s loss kept them searching for a spark in the Premier League table, but Grealish’s anger came from more than the result.
He was booked late on for dissent after protesting a free-kick call. The flashpoint centred on teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall being shown a yellow card for taking a quick free-kick — something Grealish claimed he had “never seen” in the league.
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What Jack Grealish said after the match?
“It was a bit frustrating in the second half because they were trying to slow the game down at times,” Grealish told TNT Sports. “I’ve never seen a player in my whole life get booked for taking a quick free-kick. I don’t know where that rules come in.”
He also questioned the amount of stoppage time: “Even the stoppage time, what was it, three minutes and one minute? Come on, I’ve never seen that in the Premier League in the last two or three years.”
Grealish went further, pointing to inconsistent fouls: “You can’t not give something for us and then two seconds later one of their defenders gets touched in the back, goes down and he gives it. I get it, you come to these stadiums and the crowd are on you and I think they feel like they’ve got to give it.”
Everton now turns their focus to upcoming league games, but Grealish’s fiery words will echo as the club seeks a response on the pitch. For all his silky dribbles, it was his sharp tongue that made the headlines this time.