NEYMAR ANTICS VIRG ON RIDICULOUS
VIRGIL VAN DIJK has revealed his frustration at Neymar’s antics, and admitted: “It’s not my type of game.”
But while condemning Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazil striker for his play-acting, he admitted that if Liverpool cannot beat the cheats they may have to match them.
“Obviously they’re worldclass players but I don’t think it’s needed in the game at times,” said the Holland centre-back.
“They get hit and they will go down and sometimes I think it’s too easy and I’m getting so frustrated. It’s important to keep a cool head but every time we made a foul they all came to the ref trying to get us a yellow card.
“We should do the same at times and I think in the second half we did it better. But that’s just not the type of game I like.
“We still respect how they are as players because they’re world-class players but it’s not really necessary at times.” 7 Apr 2018 (Prem) 5 Jan 2018 (FA Cup) 10 Dec 2017 (Prem) 1 Apr 2017 (Prem) 19 Dec 2016 (Prem) 20 Apr 2016 (Prem) 4 Oct 2015 (Prem)
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1 Oct 2011 (Prem)
16 Jan 2011 (Prem) 17 Oct 2010 (Prem) GYLFI SIGURDSSON insists Everton are confident they can finally end their Merseyside derby hoodoo.
The Toffees have gone eight years and 17 games since their last derby success when Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill scored in a 2-0 win at Goodison Park in October 2010.
But boss Marco Silva is leading a Blues revival and Sigurdsson says they will relish facing Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in the 232nd derby because of their fine draw at Chelsea in their last away game.
“I think all the boys have been looking forward to the derby since the start of the season and that feeling has grown with the performances we have been putting together over the past couple of months,” said the Iceland star.
“We can take some confidence from the way we played at Chelsea.
“That was a good result because we backed it up by winning the next game against Cardiff.
“The team is playing really well and getting results – and we’re grinding out wins when we’re not playing our best football.
“We dealt with a very tough and scrappy game on Saturday against Cardiff and we’re happy with the past few weeks.”
Sigurdsson, 29, has scored six goals and made two assists this season to help Everton climb into the top six after a run of just one defeat in seven league games.
“Things are looking good,” he said. “We’ve been working very hard since day one under the manager and we are putting together some very good results.
“Sunday is another very big game for us. We want to make it a good one and we will be ready for the challenge.”
Liverpool insist the derby is the perfect way to bounce back from the disappointing performance against PSG in the Champions League.
There is no time to obsess about their form or lack of a goal threat away from home in Europe (with just one shot on goal in 270 minutes of European travel).
And Kop star James Milner said: “It is what the best teams do, bounce back. We have a big game, so that helps. I think it’s going to be a good match, the atmosphere will be good and that will help.
“As players, we should be able to bounce back either way, but it is a nice game, and derbies are always great games to play in.
“Everton are on an OK run as well, so it’s going to be a tough game. It’s down to us to continue our league form and bounce back.” Everton 0–0 Liverpool Liverpool 2–1 Everton Liverpool 1–1 Everton Liverpool 3–1 Everton Everton 0–1 Liverpool Liverpool 4–0 Everton Everton 1–1 Liverpool Everton 0–0 Liverpool Liverpool 1–1 Everton Liverpool 4–0 Everton Everton 3–3 Liverpool Liverpool 0–0 Everton Everton 2–2 Liverpool Liverpool 2–1 Everton Lliverpool 3–0 Everton Everton 0–2 Liverpool Liverpool 2–2 Everton Everton 2–0 Liverpool