Liverpool's 8-year record finally ends vs Everton - but pundits left to disagree

21 October 2023 , 13:09

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Ashley Young was far from happy with his early exit (Image: PA)

Ashley Young was shown his marching orders in the first-half of the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

In being dismissed at Anfield, the veteran former Manchester United and Everton defender became the first player in EIGHT YEARS to be sent off against Liverpool in the Premier League for two yellow cards.

Young, starting at right-back for Sean Dyche's side, had been booked early doors for a foul on Luis Diaz when, eight minutes before the break, he lunged into another challenge on the Colombian winger. Getting nothing of the ball, he went straight through his man, and after referee Craig Pawson gave himself a few seconds to think, he elected to show a second yellow and dismiss the 38-year-old.

Young showed little emotion as he made his way to the touchline, but let the fourth official know of his displeasure before heading down the tunnel, having committed only two fouls during the first period. He became the 23rd man in Premier League history to see red in the Merseyside derby, and the first man to be sent off against Liverpool for two yellows since Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool forward, during his time at Southampton before his move to Anfield.

Pawson's decision, despite both offences being bookings by the letter of the law, wasn't universally popular however.

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“I think it’s harsh,” said Ally McCoist, speaking on commentary for TNT Sports “Somebody will tell me it’s two yellow cards, and it’ll be difficult to argue with them. But I just think that sometimes you’ve got to show a little bit of common sense.”

Rio Ferdinand, working alongside McCoist, responded: “That’s one, I don’t think that’s a yellow, the first one. That one you can say is definitely a yellow card.

“Ashley, to be fair to him, he sees the ball there and I know as a defender you don’t want anyone to get past you - it’s ego, it’s pride - but sometimes you’ve just got to give up the ghost and say ‘you know what, I’ve got to let him go there and hope my covering centre-backs cover me in the next phase’”.

“Diaz, very clever, puts his foot there knowing he’s going to get kicked,” added McCoist. “It’s clever forward play, but I still think it’s harsh. Look at the two incidents, maybe someone will tell you it’s two yellow cards, but I think [the referee] needs to cut him a little bit of slack there, I really do.”

Ashley Young is shown his red card (Getty Images)

Ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, had a very different take however, believing that Young could have few complaints. He said: “A player of his experience needs to do better.

“Young thinks he has a chance to nick the ball away and dives in. Luis Diaz clearly wants to front him up, knows the defender is on a booking and wants to take him to the by line.

“In that situation you need to just accept you've been beaten and just hope someone behind you can help you out. You need to trust you have someone covering in behind.”

Alex Richards