Suarez denied late winner after Moyes-baiting goal celebration
EVERTON 2 vs LIVERPOOL 2
LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers cursed a disallowed late goal from controversial striker Luis Suarez after his team threw away a two-goal lead in a pulsating Merseyside Premier League derby.
Suarez fired in via Leighton Baines – and celebrated by goading Everton boss David Moyes over diving claims by throwing himself to the ground in front of the home dugout – before nodding a second on 20 minutes. But midfielder Leon Osman pounced on a poor punch from stand-in Reds keeper Brad Jones to rifle an instant response and summer signing Steven Naismith poked an equaliser 10 minutes before half-time.
Against all odds it stayed two goals apiece, although Rodgers insisted that, contrary to referee Andre Marriner’s judgment, Suarez had not been offside when he jabbed a would-be winner in stoppage time.
“We’re so disappointed it didn’t count because for me it’s an easy decision,” said Rodgers, whose men lie 12th. “I’m not going to keep going on about officials because it’s been happening to us all season.”
Moyes laughed off Suarez’s mock dive celebration but argued that the Uruguayan should have received more than a booking for a tackle on Sylvain Distin.
“I thought it was great. It’s the sort of thing I would have done had I scored,” said Moyes, who are fifth. “But I think he was a lucky man to stay on the pitch.”