“Complete Disaster” – Dave Hendrick Slams Michael Oliver Performance in Liverpool’s Draw with Everton | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Derby Drama and Wolves Challenge: Insights from Anfield Index’s Dave Hendrick and Karl Matchett

The recent Merseyside derby saw Liverpool and Everton share the spoils in a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, and Dave Hendrick and Karl Matchett from the Anfield Index podcast offered a compelling breakdown of the match. As the Reds turn their attention to Wolves, the duo shared candid insights on Liverpool’s performance, the refereeing controversy, and the upcoming challenge against a Wolves side desperate for points.

Frustration at Goodison: Missed Chances and Refereeing Chaos

Liverpool’s visit to Everton was anything but straightforward. Hendrick didn’t mince words regarding Michael Oliver’s refereeing, branding it a “complete disaster” and pointing to a series of contentious decisions. “The referee had no control of that game,” Hendrick said, echoing the sentiments of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

The match itself was a gritty affair. Hendrick noted that “six of the starting eleven were poor,” with Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson struggling under the derby’s intensity. Gravenberch was also singled out for a subpar showing: “He might as well not have played; he got bullied in midfield,” Hendrick lamented. Despite the frustrations, Mohamed Salah delivered once again, scoring twice to salvage a point and maintain Liverpool’s seven-point lead at the top.

Photo: IMAGO

Wolves at Anfield: A Must-Win to Maintain Momentum

With the derby now behind them, Hendrick and Matchett turned their focus to Wolves’ visit to Anfield. Matchett highlighted Liverpool’s recent away struggles but expressed confidence in their home form, stating, “At home, we’re still very strong; we still do the business.”

Hendrick laid bare the stakes: “You can’t really afford two slip-ups in a row, especially with tough fixtures coming up like Villa away and City away.” Wolves, currently hovering above the relegation zone, have shown signs of improvement under Vítor Pereira but remain inconsistent. “There’s absolutely no excuse for us not to beat them,” Hendrick declared.

Wolves’ Tactical Shift and Liverpool’s Plan of Attack

Discussing Wolves’ setup, Matchett noted the tactical adjustments Pereira has implemented. “They seem to have settled on a system that plays to their players’ strengths,” he observed. Rayan Aït-Nouri and Matheus Cunha have been key performers, but Hendrick was dismissive of Wolves’ defensive capabilities: “They’re playing Matt Doherty as a centre-back—that’s an area we can exploit.”

Liverpool’s strategy will hinge on breaking down Wolves’ defensive block while keeping Cunha in check. Hendrick suggested a lineup tweak, advocating for Darwin Núñez on the left and Diogo Jota through the middle. “Jota always does well against Wolves, and Darwin can give Doherty nightmares,” he reasoned.

Prediction and Expectations: Liverpool to Prevail

Looking ahead to the match, Hendrick predicted a comfortable 3-0 win for Liverpool, with goals from Salah, Jota, and Gravenberch. “Gravenberch is due a goal,” he said, pointing to his recent long-range efforts that have narrowly missed the target.

The consensus from the Anfield Index podcast is clear: the draw at Everton was frustrating, but the upcoming clash with Wolves is an opportunity to reaffirm Liverpool’s title credentials. A strong performance at Anfield could set the tone for the critical fixtures ahead and keep the Reds firmly in the driver’s seat.