Liverpool travelled to Goodison Park to take on Everton earlier this evening hoping to pick up a victory which would see them go back on the top of the Premier League standings. The Reds started the match on the front foot but couldn’t capitalise on the few opportunities that fell in their path in the first half.
Jurgen Klopp’s men kept the pressure on in the second half and came close to scoring when Mohamed Salah was through on goal. However, a heavy touch in the decisive moment denied him the chance at taking a shot at goal. The Toffees were more dominant in the final quarter of the contest to grind out a scoreless draw on the day.
This lacklustre draw could be a bitter blow for Liverpool and their title ambitions this season with just nine matches left to play in the English top-flight.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the match against the Toffees.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7.5/10
The Brazilian keeper had a good game in the Merseyside derby as he was able to keep the Everton attackers at bay on his way to securing a clean sheet.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5/10
The English right-back was defensively solid but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
CB: Joel Matip – 8/10
The Cameroonian defender was a powerhouse in defence as he bullied the Everton forwards throughout the game to keep a vital clean sheet at the back.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 9/10
The Liverpool centre-back won most of his aerial duels during the game and put in a man of the match performance in the derby. He was a cut above every other player on the pitch which once again goes to show why Liverpool decided to pay such a high fee for him at the beginning of 2018.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 6/10
The Scottish full-back was defensively solid but lacked invention going forward. He failed to link up play often with the likes of Origi and Mane down the left flank.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 8/10
The Reds skipper was Klopp’s best player in midfield. He led his team well and was also quite creative in the opposition half.
CM: Fabinho – 5/10
The Brazilian talent was a commanding presence in midfield in the first half, but he was woeful in the second. He wasted a golden chance to put his team ahead from point-blank range as a heavy touch let him down.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 5/10
The Dutch midfielder was unusually quiet throughout the contest and was rightfully subbed in the second half.
RM: Mohamed Salah – 4/10
The Egyptian winger wasted two golden opportunities during the game which ultimately cost his team the win. He is struggling to find confidence despite showing some signs of promise while on possession of the ball.
ST: Sadio Mane – 5/10
The Senegalese speedster tried his best to make an impact in the opposition half but struggled to deliver the final pass.
LM: Divock Origi – 7/10
The Belgian is getting better with each game as he hardly gave away the ball in the first half. He had to make way for Firmino at the hour mark which was unfortunate as he was one of Klopp’s better players on the pitch.
Substitutes:
CM: James Milner – 3/10
The English midfielder had a horror game after he came on the pitch. He gave away the ball on numerous occasions and completed crumbled under pressure which was a shock from a player of his vast experience.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 6/10
The Brazilian tried to be bright and inventive but couldn’t get into the game in the final stages of the contest.
CAM: Adam Lallana – N/A
He didn’t have enough time to make an impact.
