BBC Radio Merseyside's Mike Hughes believes Thierno Barry didn't do enough to help his side from an attacking aspect in their defeat by Arsenal at the weekend and the striker "wasn't smart enough" in how he played.

The Toffees struggled to create any chances of note against last season's Premier League champions, who boast the best defensive record in the league.

Barry's display has faced pockets of criticism after he was unable to capitalise when half chances presented themselves against Mikel Arteta's side.

Under next to no pressure, Arsenal right-back Ben White attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper David Raya, unaware that the Everton striker was lurking after an attack broke down. Barry could have netted a one-v-one opportunity but rushed to take a touch and the Gunners keeper regained possession.

Speaking on the Toffees Unwrapped podcast, Hughes said: "I think he did really well to hook it goalwards. I don't think he had the time to stop and do things differently really.

"My problem with Barry on Saturday was when you're playing Arsenal, and we know they're the best defence in the Premier League, one of the best in Europe if not the best, you don't really get the chance to do things two or three times.

"You have got to do the simple things and the simple things quickly. Sometimes, on occasions, and they were limited, he tried to be too smart. When the ball is played into you, just play it into your team-mates and move into an advanced position, I don't think he did that enough.

"I think he wasn't smart enough. I wouldn't blame him for the chance he missed but I think Everton really lacked in the final third."

Co-host Giulia Bould added: "I think he has to take some responsibility for this. Sometimes I do feel that as a striker you have to start creating things and I just feel he can't hold the ball up very well and I feel like sometimes strikers have to be ready to pounce and create something from nothing. I don't feel he has the ability to do that, so I don't think that comes into play."