Who’s at fault for Everton’s plight this season: Rafa Benitez, Marcel Brands or Farhad Moshiri?

Emotions ran high in both camps during the 239th Merseyside derby.

The travelling Liverpool fans revelled in a 4-1 victory at Goodison Park as they grabbed back the bragging rights. From the opening salvo, Jurgen Klopp’s in-form side never looked like losing.

But for the Everton faithful, it was an inevitable result they’d been braced for. Against the backdrop of a winless run of seven games, they went into the encounter expecting nothing.

Still, that didn’t stop supporters ensuring their frustrations were heard loud and clear.

Just two points from a possible 24 have been collected and Evertonians made it clear that’s far from acceptable.

All of the main figures at Goodison Park were in the firing line as the Toffees’ horrendous form continued. It’s a surprise Everton are still as high as 14th given they’ve not won for more than two months.

Rafa Benitez, Marcel Brands and Bill Kenwright were given a few home truths. If owner Farhad Moshiri was present, he too would have got his fair share.

It’s not just this season fans are disillusioned at.

But who’s mainly at fault for the Blues’ plight this campaign?

Rafa Benitez

It's often the manager who shoulders the majority of the blame.

And criticism of Benitez has slowly been building over the past couple of months, with more and more fans changing their opinions.

Let's be frank, he was never many supporters' first choice to succeed Carlo Ancelotti given his ties across Stanley Park.

But when he was appointed, a vast majority knew they had to get behind the new boss and indeed did that.

Initially, Benitez won over the remaining detractors. In early-season wins over Southampton, Brighton and Burnley, a style of football was adopted that Evertonians could resonate with: get the ball forward quickly, get crosses into the box and flood the danger area with blue shirts. Simple but effective and entertaining.

However, in recent games, those fundamentals have been near non-existent.

Of course, there are some mitigating circumstances. Injuries have taken their toll, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined since the third game of the season. He's netted in each game before his setback and he's someone who thrives off deliveries into the box.

Yerry Mina, the best centre-back at Goodison, remains absent while Abdoulaye Doucoure and Richarlison have had spells out too. That's the spine of the team and any club would feel the impact.

Fans are also aware that Benitez took over in difficult circumstances and inherited precarious financial problems. Just £1.7 million was spent in the summer.

But the manager's decision-making has irked those who sit in the terraces.

Sticking with Salomon Rondon when it was obvious he was nowhere near match fitness was one thing that infuriated.

Not bringing an additional striker on at Brentford on Sunday when chasing a goal - despite three siting on the bench - was another thing that displeased.

And deploying a two-man midfielder against Liverpool - despite everyone fearing that's where Everton would be overrun and dominated - was the latest tactic to be scrutinised. Indeed, that's where the game was lost.

Throughout his career, Benitez has been renowned for his tactical acumen and prowess to set up an obstinate outfit.

However, Everton have been bereft of even those fundamentals.

Moshiri has insisted Benitez will get the time he deserves.If things don't change soon, though, the Blues could be dragged into a relegation dogfight.

Marcel Brands

The supporter who took aim at Brands at the full-time whistle said what many fans have been commenting on social media for a significant amount of time.

"Did you recruit those players?" he vehemently bellowed.

It's a pertinent topic. A debate has raged over Brands' position at the club.

Since arriving in 2018, the Toffees have made zero tangible progress on the pitch, with finishes of eighth, 12th and 10th.

In that period, circa £250 million has been spent on players.

In fairness, some have worked out. Richarlison, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Lucas Digne, Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina have all been regulars.

But there has been a significant amount of cash squandered.

Jean Philippe-Gbamin is said to have cost £23 million yet has made just six appearances in two-and-a-half seasons.

Alex Iwobi's fee was supposedly a staggering £35 million. He's a much-maligned figure and scored just six times in 78 appearances.

More than £25 million was forked out on Moise Kean. Luckily, Everton will recoup those funds when he does eventually go back to Juventus permanently.

And while Allan cost in the region of £20 million and is a regular starter, the Toffees surely could have got someone just as effective for cheaper and with a sell-on fee.

In theory, it is Brands' remit to bring in the right players. Granted, there will always be a dud or two along the way - that's just how recruitment works.

However, his success rate hasn't been where it should be. Compare it to his Anfield counterpart Michael Edwards. He's been the bedrock to Liverpool's success and hasn't got many recruits wrong.

Yet Brands' retort to the irate fan gave an insight into how he feels about things at Goodison.

"Is it only the players?" was his reply.

That suggests the Dutchman feels that problems run deep than those on the pitch.

Some would argue he has seemingly been hamstrung in his role and not allowed to carry out responsibilities a director of football should be permitted.

Farhad Moshiri

You can hardly say that Everton's owner hasn't been afraid to put his hand in his pocket since his takeover in 2016.

There has been around £500 million spent during that time. Since the beginning of the 2017-18 season, the net spend is around £213 million.

Bar Benitez, Moshiri has backed those at the Goodison helm handsomely.

But there has been a failure to appoint the correct manager during his tenure.

And, more concerningly, there has been a distinct change in tack every time a new chief is appointed.

Ronald Koeman, Sam Allardyce, Marco Silva, Ancelotti and now Benitez. The lack of continuity and misalignment has been alarming. Various philosophies mean various players signed.

Many of those have been on long-term deals and some are still at the club.

Cenk Tosun, who came off the bench against Liverpool for his first appearance in almost a year, is a prime example. He cost a reported £27 million in January 2018.

Everton have not progressed as a club in terms of results or coming closing to winning silverware.

Now they are suffering the ramifications of their profligacy and are restricted by financial fair play rules.

Moshiri is funding the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium and it's hard to throw criticism that way for the project.

But when it comes to the situation on-field, he has to share a portion of the blame.