Saturday 1 April 2017 19:42, UK
Ross Barkley’s derby display in Everton's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool showed why he still has much left to prove.
Ross Barkley went into the Merseyside derby with plenty of public sympathy having been an unused substitute twice for England during the international break. Given his impressive form for Everton of late, Anfield seemed the perfect setting to showcase his talents.
Instead his derby display offered a timely reminder of just how much Barkley still has to learn before he can be considered a truly top-class performer. In fact, he was lucky to last the 90 minutes with his efforts failing to impress former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness.
"If I were playing with him I would be falling out with him," Souness told Sky Sports. "Not every game, every five minutes. I think he runs with it when he should pass it and he passes it when he should run with it. His decision-making is poor in the extreme.
"You can get kidded by him sometimes because … he's got all the equipment to be a player but I just see his decision-making not improving and if that doesn't improve then he doesn't improve as a player. I see him as a kid in the playground. That's how he plays."
I think he runs with it when he should pass it and he passes it when he should run with it. His decision-making is poor in the extreme.
Certainly, there was more than a hint of immaturity to Barkley's performance. He was fortunate to escape a booking inside six minutes after his studs connected with Emre Can's ankle and could well have seen red later in the half for a poor challenge on Dejan Lovren.
That second foul came as a result of frustration following his own poor control and Barkley's former England coach Gary Neville feels that this is the sort of sloppiness that he must cut out if he is to really make the most of his ability.
"Because I worked with him for four years with England I desperately want him to succeed," Neville told Sky Sports. "I desperately want him to fulfil his potential and become the best player in the Premier League. However, it's concentration. It's definitely concentration.
"His tightness in terms of control [was lacking]. You haven't got time in the top games. Players like David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne or Phillipe Coutinho and Adam Lallana at Liverpool, they operate in really tight spaces and receive the ball perfectly.
"They know where they are and they make very few mistakes on the ball. Ross just makes too many mistakes in matches when he receives the ball and he gives it away. What then happens is that he gets a little bit frustrated with himself."
Ross just makes too many mistakes in matches when he receives the ball and he gives it away.
Barkley surrendered possession of the ball 28 times on Saturday. Silva, for example, has not done that once in the last three years. But it was the contrast with Coutinho - the game's stand-out player with a goal and an assist - that was most revealing at the weekend.
"That's the level he has to get to," Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports. "Ross Barkley flattered to deceive. He hasn't taken the game by the scruff of the neck. Everything Philippe Coutinho does is immaculate, everything Ross has done has been scruffy. That's the difference."
Two examples highlight the problem. There was the quick free-kick that saw him give the ball away trying a short pass when Everton's only threat had been from crosses. Then came the dribble across his own penalty box that resulted in him being tackled by Divock Origi.
Of course, it is not entirely fair to characterise this as the definitive Barkley performance. He has created 68 chances this season - only three players have fashioned more openings for their side - and there have been positive changes to his game.
He is not dribbling as much as in past seasons but is succeeding in creating more. He is not shooting from outside the box as much and he is assisting goals for team-mates more often. There are hints there of improved decision-making.
But with Barkley now 23 - just a year younger than Coutinho, by the way - that's what needs to happen if he is to fulfil his potential and go on to do it at the highest level. "He does it in flashes but he's got to do it week in and week out," added Neville.
"At top clubs that are going to win championships and play in the Champions League - and that's where he should he heading, that's where his mind should be - you have to have that consistency. Concentration and focus are absolutely key.
"I hope he gets there because I think he's a good lad, he gives his all and he loves football. So I just hope he can deliver in the next couple of years and mature into the type of player who delivers what Coutinho has done today." England will not be able to ignore him then.
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