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In Everton all are smiles and good vibes, because the fought 2-2 draw in the classic against Liverpool, despite all the controversies, left not only a firm defense of the leadership but the idea that the team can compete at the same level of the most powerful teams in the Premier League.
Richarlison was lost to an expulsion and an unnecessary foul, but Pickford saved punishment for the serious injury that caused Van Dijk in a crash that could well have been a penalty. And there is also no physical news for the tight schedule that lies ahead.
For James Rodríguez the classic also left a very good qualification, one more confirmation of his weight in the offense of his team (he was involved in the two goals) and 90 minutes of pure demand, despite the wear and tear of the trip with the Colombian National Team and the two matches in the qualifiers to Qatar 2022.
However, a first dissonant voice has been heard in recent hours that precisely points to James. This is Danny Murphy, former Liverpool figure and Daily Mail columnist, who questioned his contribution to branding tasks: “The best teams will have seen how James’s unwillingness to back down when the left-back is attacking towards can be exploited. go ahead, “he said.
“Andy Robertson was vital. Liverpool were a real threat on that side and, of course, they went ahead early with Mané’s center ”, he added.
What Murphy does acknowledge is that on offense there is no discussion about James: “They look better than they have in years and, in James Rodriguez, they have a player with true star quality,” he said.
However, he remains concerned about the Colombian’s defensive task and sends a warning signal to coach Carlo Ancelotti: “He is an intelligent coach. He will discover how to use the best of Rodríguez, who is a threat for the future, while he hopes that Everton is less vulnerable, “he warned.
Well, the coach’s response can be extracted from the press conference after the draw in the classic, in which he gave a feeling absolutely contrary to that of the critic: “The effort that James, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison made in the second half It was fantastic. They worked hard and helped the team defend well, “he said.
Clearly, the DT is not worried about that defensive failure that Murphy sees in James, who among other things was the highest rated player of the difficult duel in Liverpool.