By PHIL THOMAS
STEVEN GERRARD has launched a stunning post-derby attack on Everton by dubbing them a long-ball team who play like Stoke.
And in a double swipe he insisted David Moyes dropped a clanger in trying to wind up Luis Suarez by complaining about the Uruguayan’s diving antics.
Gerrard was still fuming at referee Andre Marriner’s incorrect decision to rule out a last-gasp Suarez goal for offside.
It would have handed Liverpool a 3-2 Goodison win, after the Toffees fought back from two down — and the Kop skipper reckons it would have been fully justified, as they were the only side trying to play football.
Gerrard rapped: “I feel sorry for our lads because I thought we were fantastic.
“Everton are effective because they have some big physical lads in the team and are very direct. They are effective but the only team who tried to play football was us.
“Everton are not better than us and I thought we stood up to a team that are very similar to Stoke. Every single time they get the ball it comes in long.
“We had a young, small team but they were all men and stood together — and we deserved the win.”
Gerrard was so incensed at linesman Simon Bennett’s incorrect flag that he made a beeline to quiz the officials after the final whistle.
He added: “We can feel sorry for ourselves because it was a clear goal. There is no offside. I asked the linesman after the game if it was offside and he said, ‘I think so’ but that’s not good enough.
“If every decision in this league is based on, ‘we think so’ then we’re in trouble.
“The linesman got it badly wrong. The benefit of the doubt is supposed to go to the attacking player anyway.”
While the officials boobed in that instance, Gerrard reckons Goodison gaffer Moyes did likewise in playing mind games by highlighting Suarez’s diving yet again.
Suarez responded with a comedy swan dive at the feet of the home boss after Liverpool’s opener, and Gerrard said: “He doesn’t need Moyes to fire him up.
“But if people want to try to get in Luis’ head and wind him up then it’s the wrong thing to do.
“It seems to inspire him rather than go against him.”
Everton skipper Phil Neville WAS booked for simulation on Sunday.
And Gerrard said: “Neville badly let his manager down. Moyes did every paper, radio station and TV channel talking about Suarez. Then his captain, who is meant to set an example, blatantly dives.”
Gerrard praised Liverpool whizkid Raheem Sterling on his derby debut. He said: “Sterling was fantastic and has been a revelation for us.
“To be 17, away in a derby, in a cauldron of an atmosphere against a physical long-ball team — he was outstanding.
“You wonder whether the younger players have the bottle to play away against tough teams in tough situations, but he handled it superbly.”
