Good to have you back Ken, peace and enlightenment to you and yours too.

Rest of the article describes how poor we are in squad size, when loosing one player can make such a big difference.

I thought McCarthy coming off, together with them having an inevitable good spell, turned the game. They turned up the pace, we couldn't live with it. We stepped back and the gap between our midfield and attack was too big. So we retreated more and hoofed it to a striker who can't hold to anything.

Big issue was that when we were on top in the first half, we didn't create anything. What told in the end was they were fitter than us and had forward players with physicality and purpose. Until we get the same we'll struggle.

Thanks for all your reports Ken. I hope you have a healthy and happy Christmas and we can read more of your reports in 2017. For us exiles you're the closest to a match-going experience we get.

All the best, my friend.

Liverpool deserved to win, we were unfortunate in having to make two substitutions that forced upon us and the last one was a poor one by Koeman. We were fighting a rearguard action and another defender should have come on, Holgate with Coleman further up the line.

We can all make changes in hindsight but we can't change the result, mores the pity.

Like a few more on here I'm glad you are okay, you have been missed.

If McCarthy is not fit for the next game, it would be footballing suicide to play Barry instead of Tom Davies, who has the energy, skill and youth to get into the faces of the opposition. And not stand back like Barry, whose legs have gone, except for giving away stupid free kicks, then getting booked.

Lukaku, for playing like a kid. I know he was getting more and more isolated, as the game wore on, but how he couldn't just get his body in, and control the ball, and buy his under pressure team, a bit of respite, by buying a few fouls was both bemusing and very frustrating.

Barkley tried, but I thought a lot of his running was silly, and he kept getting caught on the wrong side, because he was either too impetuous, or he just doesn't know the pitch. It's hard if you don't have many players to play with, but you make it a lot harder for yourself, when you shit out of a 50/50, like he did last night.

Finally Koeman, for his subs. I know he doesn't have much to play with at the minute, but playing Barry, and continuing to ignore Tom Davies, is such a contradiction, when he talks about wanting his team's to play a high pressing game?

I look forward to watching Everton, if Ronald, can achieve his goal though, because I felt there was a lot to enjoy in the first half last night, and look forward to watching an Everton team play like the game really means something to them once again.

Finally thanks for your report Ken, written by a true match going fan, who obviously knows his footy. Next time I hope the flares will be blue, rather than the mood, and hope you have a very good Christmas, and our team can pick up in the new year!

I'm unsure whether Koeman is a one trick pony and his only tactic is to have big physical, pacey players as he doesn't seem to be able to develop a method of playing which suits the current squad. Or is it just the fact that he's inherited an ageing, crock ridden squad.

Maybe an indicator of the different attitudes is that I have heard from a number of kopite friends who were almost all disappointed at the match. We would have loved a scrappy 1-0 win but they thought the footy was awful (not too many comments on the result). They want to win with style, such is their confidence re this fixture. We would accept any sort of win.

I am already looking forward to your reports in 2017.

Happy Christmas and a prosperous new year to you!

I remember the last time we beat Liverpool, which seems a very long time ago now, and I left Goodison, absolutely livid. I had to bite my tongue with more than a few very happy Evertonians, because I was disgusted with our performance once we took a two goal lead that day.

It's a Derby match for godsake, and we should have really went for the jugular that day, and absolutely pulverised the horrible baskets. I suppose we all feel different at times though, and I could understand why everyone was happy, even if it's just 3 points at the end of the day.

IF IM TO GET MY DYING WISH THOUGH, ITS GOT TO BE A LAST MINUTE WINNER IN A CUP FINAL AGAINST THEM... sometimes I think it's that thought that keeps me going!

Like a few other posters you have found a (small) element of positivity in Ross's first half performance.

However, and to endorse Micheal Ball's piece in the Echo, I thought he was – as usual – largely anonymous. I wonder if those watching live are witnessing things the TV viewer is missing?

Many talk about a clear out regarding the squad. Agreed. Takes time,requires patience. So, my fellow blues, I call for an end to the mindless slagging off of all and sundry when things don´t go as planned. It is not his squad but Matrinez's. It needs a major operation to improve it.

Apparently we have a very talented group of U23s. Give them a try before spending on short term fixes. We have at east two, Davis & Dowell, who could replace Barry. Give them 3 or 4 games each to prove themselves.

Alas, Barry is finished. It doesn't matter how clever,smart or experienced one is, if your legs won´t carry you the team suffers. We saw how deep we played 2nd half on Monday. Even Cruyff and Pele had to give it up.
Thanks, Ken. Always a pleasure to read your stuff. As others have stated, we who live abroad really get it.

I worry about Koeman generally but at least he has shown a bit of passion since Christmas-tree-gate .Have a great Christmas, Ken.

Is that the 18-year-old Tom Davies?

He's a kid full of potential but, the way some talk about it, Tom would be the answer to our problems. No pressure there then.

But no... not our loveable neighbours – it just had to go to one of their players, didn't it. Mind you, Williams hardly covered himself in glory reacting slowly at that.

And Tony (#13) don't wish a cup final on us against them because we all know what happens, don't we? It's certainly not us getting a last-minute winner. But hey, it's nice to dream...

Happy Xmas everyone – especially you, Ken, and keep 'em coming!

Just speechless in terms of commenting on the teams performance and "style" of play. As for the verdict by Koeman that we were "outstanding", that's an insult to the club of Ball, Labone, Dean, Kendall, Harvey, Southall and Young.

So this time it is two major injuries and a loss. I was also wondering whether Barkley might get a retrospective red.

Sorry to hear Barry had a bad game, just after we extended his contract !

I'm content that the team are showing a bit more fight now but what happened to the football? The second-half just passed us by without us showing much threat at all.

May I wish you, your family and all Evertonians a very Happy Xmas and a healthy and prosperous New year.

Thanks for the usual quality of report, even in the lousy background of yet another loss to the Red Shite!

One of these days and I don't feel its too far away, we will just have some luck against them! And I will say Hallelujah! it is now our time! It is that day that drives me on.

Supporting since 1953, great times, good times but recently poor times. Time to get back on top!

Valencia's energy also helped keep Liverpool at bay. So what does Koeman do? He removes the effective Valencia and brings on a youngster.

If anyone had to be removed it was Lukaku. I think that decision cost us the game. A pressing Valencia alongside a spritely youngster could have won us the day.,,