THE NOTEBOOK: Jack Dowling unites Goodison Park, Idrissa Gana Gueye halts Liverpool’s creativity and Sean Dyche changes it up after 550 games
- Goodison Park was united as fitness coach Jack Dowling received applause
- Longtime Evertonian Wayne Rooney was the guest speaker on Sky Sports’ coverage
- Foden sheds light on Guardiola, Klopp and more on the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast. Listen on Spotify, Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
Goodison Park was united before kick-off as Everton fitness coach Jack Dowling received applause from all corners of the stadium – including the away leg – for a mega-achievement of completing 26 marathons in 26 weeks in honor of his brother, Liverpool fan Tom.
Dowling raised more than £70,000 for Macmillan after his brother sadly passed away earlier this year, halfway through the fundraising campaign.
Dowling was presented with a shirt from both clubs as he took to the field with his London Marathon finishers medal. Well done, Jac.
Goodison Park was united before kick-off as Everton fitness coach Jack Dowling received applause from all corners of the stadium
ROONEY BANTERTS WITH CARRAGHER
Longtime Evertonian Wayne Rooney was the guest speaker on Sky Sports’ coverage on Wednesday evening.
He had a great chat with old foe Jamie Carragher in the studio as the pair discussed some old clashes in the Merseyside derbies.
“That’s a shame,” they laughed about a 2000 tackle.
Longtime Evertonian Wayne Rooney was the guest speaker on Sky Sports’ coverage on Wednesday
ONE IN THE GUEYE FOR THE RED
Liverpool lacked creativity in midfield from the start – and that was largely down to Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The Senegalese midfielder made a huge turnaround. He broke up attacks with important interceptions, urged Liverpool’s players not to give them space and passed gradually.
Liverpool lacked creativity in midfield from the start – and much of that was down to Idrissa Gana Gueye (pictured above)
SEAN DYCHE CHANGES IT
Sean Dyche has managed almost 550 games at Watford, Burnley and Everton. For many, he would have had a suit and boots, often with a dark blazer and a club-colored tie.
He switched to a club tracksuit this week – he said he wanted to “change the atmosphere” around Finch Farm – and must see it as a good luck charm.
Sean Dyche (above) has managed almost 550 games at Watford, Burnley and Everton
VAR AUDIO RELEASED WHILE TALKING
Referee chief Howard Webb will hold peace talks with the owners of Nottingham Forest this week, with VAR audio of three penalties from their trip to Everton being played for the club.
Forest earlier this week requested access to referee Anthony Taylor’s conversations with VAR Stuart Attwell after he criticized the latter’s appointment for the match at Goodison Park on the grounds that he is a ‘Luton fan’ – where referee organization PGMOL was happy to accommodate this.
Howard Webb will hold peace talks with the owners of Nottingham Forest this week, with VAR audio of three penalties from their trip to Everton to be played for the club.
NEW ARRIVAL FOR LIVERPOOL
Good news in the Liverpool camp on Wednesday. Dutch forward Cody Gakpo had to withdraw from the team when his wife, Noa, went into labor.
Gakpo, who this week was part of a €50 million investment plan in start-up sports companies, played his best game in a while on Sunday, so he was a miss for the Reds.
Good news in the Liverpool camp on Wednesday. Dutch striker Cody Gakpo had to withdraw from the team when his wife Noa was in labor