Everton star James Tarkowski praised for ‘brilliant’ thing he did ‘twice’ in Merseyside derby

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Former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton has heaped praise on Everton centre-back James Tarkowski.

Despite a valiant effort at the back, led by James Tarkowski, Everton fell to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in Saturday’s Merseyside derby.

The Reds enjoyed the majority of the attacking play, managing 26 shots, whilst Sean Dyche’s side could only muster six of their own. 

However, it took until the 75th minute for Mohamed Salah to break the deadlock from the penalty spot at Anfield. Liverpool’s second goal, again scored by Salah, came on the break in the 7th minute of injury time as the Toffees flooded forward in search of an equaliser. 

Whilst it was ultimately a disappointing result for Everton, Dyche will be proud of how solid his side were for the majority of the match, especially as they spent most of the match with ten men.

Tarkowski was key to this impressive performance at the back. The £100,000-a-week defender was the chief organiser amongst the Everton defenders and led by example in his commitment to keeping the Reds at bay. 

As per WhoScored statistics, the 30-year-old blocked four shots during the match, more than any other player on the pitch. It was this brave willingness to put his body on the line which most impressed Ray Houghton.

James Tarkowski can hold his head high after Everton outing

Speaking on talkSPORT (21/10/2023, 13:42), Houghton said, “brilliant from Tarkowski twice, because Branthwaite lost his footing and that gave the chance for Salah, but he just threw his body in the line of the strike, not once but twice.”

In the passage of play being referenced by Houghton, Tarkowski was able to block two efforts on the Everton goal in quick succession.

Throughout the match, his experience and leadership will have helped Jarrad Branthwaite cope with the occasion, and also helped the Everton team as a whole deal with the sending off of Ashley Young.

Everton can’t really feel hard done by to have lost this match as they didn’t offer enough going forward themselves, but Tarkowski ought to be pleased with his own contribution.