Frank Lampard rejects allegations of time-wasting as he leaps to the defence of his players

Frank Lampard has defended his Everton team against allegations of time wasting ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch repeatedly pointed to his watch when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was taking goal kicks in the draw at Elland Road on Tuesday. 

Last season during the derby at Anfield, meanwhile, Pickford was lampooned by the crowd for falling down theatrically whenever he caught the ball.

Liverpool eventually won that game with two late goals but Everton manager Lampard was asked if he would employ time wasting tactics on Saturday.

He said: ‘No. I have analysed this the last few days. That Leeds game had the most minutes of ball in play this season and I lived the game on the touchline.

‘We have a multi-ball system now but the balls aren’t right behind the goal. As soon as the ball went out in to the crowd they were booing and whistling at Jordan to take the kick quickly when he didn’t have the ball in his hand.

‘This then related to some movement on the Leeds bench about time. This was about ten minutes in to the game. I think a lot of that escalated very quickly. There were a lot of minutes played in that game.’

Jesse Marsch was furious with how slowly Jordan Pickford was taking goal kicks on Tuesday

The Leeds manager was seen pointing to his watching during the Premier League clash

Referees are under scrutiny to let the game flow in the Premier League this season and to add minutes on at the end of matches if they feel teams have been wasting time.

Liverpool scored in the eighth minute of added time to beat Newcastle on Wednesday night, infuriating visiting manager Eddie Howe.

But Lampard said: ‘The referee is there to control that part of the game and he can stop his watch and add eight minutes to Liverpool like he did the other night.

‘We have to be very careful – us as managers – to jump on a game. Because there are loads of moments in other games where teams are seeing out a game where people could say: ‘what about your team?’.

Last season during the derby at Anfield, meanwhile, Pickford was lampooned by the crowd for falling down theatrically whenever he caught the ball

Lampard has defender his players and said the referees can stop their watches is they like

‘So you have to be careful you don’t get caught up in double standards. It’s very important the referees manage the game well and the players are respectful and don’t try to waste time.

‘But if the ball is in the stadium [the crowd] I am not expecting Jordan Pickford to sprint 30 steps up and get the ball and bring it back. There is a process. I think there is a balance to it.

‘I know it’s a talking point at the moment a little bit but if the referee is going to put eight minutes on at Liverpool and they score in the eighth minute then maybe it’s because when the ball has gone out of play he has done his job well. For me that’s it.’