Football Daily presenter Chris Hamill questioned Frank Lampard’s decision to bring on Salomon Rondon during Everton’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Given their lowly position in the Premier League table, it was a spirited performance from the Toffees at Anfield. However, it was not enough to get anything at the home of their fierce city rivals, with goals from Andrew Robertson and Divock Origi consigning Everton to defeat. They are now 18th in the table with just six games remaining.
Writing on Twitter, Hamill appeared perplexed by Lampard’s decision to introduce Rondon. He said: “Rafa almost got chased out of Merseyside for bringing Rondon on as a Hail Mary… Yet here we are.”
TIF Thoughts on Rondon sub…
It seems a bit harsh to question the decision. Lampard has perhaps been given more leeway than Rafael Benitez, who was almost hounded out of Goodison Park before he had even started, but there was little choice but to bring on Rondon on Sunday as Everton chased the game.
Is Rondon good enough for Everton?
Yes
No
In all honesty, the Venezuelan has not had any lasting impact at the club, managing just one goal in 17 Premier League matches, and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing much of the season through injury, neither Benitez nor Lampard have been able to rely upon the former Newcastle forward.
The gulf in quality ultimately showed at Anfield, but if Everton can reproduce that kind of display until the end of the season, they will still have a chance of keeping their place amongst the elite.