Result
Sunday’s late Premier League kick-off played out a short time ago. The clash saw Liverpool and Everton face off in the final Merseyside derby of the campaign.
Liverpool headed into the game looking to regain some ground on league leaders Manchester City, who smashed Watford 5-1 on Saturday.
Everton, meanwhile, were aiming to put some much-needed distance between themselves and the bottom three.
And, though Everton did manage something of an upset in the derby last term, Liverpool were nevertheless viewed as clear favourites ahead of Sunday’s game.
So, it was not too surprising when Jurgen Klopp’s men ran out 2-0 winners on the day.
Everton had a clear game plan throughout the 90 – sit back with 10 men behind the ball before attempting to hit Liverpool on the counter through the pace of Gordon, Richarlison and Gray. And, to the credit of the visitors, they did precisely that in the first 45, preventing Liverpool from directing a single shot on target.
Deadlock broken 🔒
Liverpool take the lead in the Merseyside Derby #LIVEVE |🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/2oTGf8ibhT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2022
Divock Origi then killed the game off on 84 minutes to hand Liverpool a 2-0 win, and ensure that Everton ended the day sitting 18th in the league.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson (6) – Had little to do but did what he had to well.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (3) – Struggled to deal with the pace of Gordon and also gave away possession on a number of occasions with poor passing.
Joel Matip (6) – Carried the ball forward well. Lucky not to concede a penalty for a foul on Gordon.
Virgil van Dijk (6) – Solid display from the Dutchman who didn’t really put a foot wrong.
Andy Robertson (7.5) – Quiet first half but scored the all-important opener and then made a huge interception to deny an Everton equaliser.
Fabinho (5) – Gave the ball away several times throughout the game, which luckily didn’t cost Liverpool.
Thiago (5) – Struggled to pull the strings like he did so well against Manchester United.
Naby Keita (5) – Enjoyed some decent link-up with Salah but struggled to create a big chance before being subbed after an hour.
Mohamed Salah (7) – Completed just one dribble in the first half. Good cross for the Robertson opener.
Sadio Mane (4.5) – Struggled to link play in the first 45 and was off after an hour.
Diogo Jota (4.5) – Has always been better for Liverpool through the middle so was not too surprising to see him less effective from the left before being switched to centre-forward at the end of the first half. Continued to struggle up top, though.
Substitutes
Luis Diaz (7) – Added some much-needed spark to Liverpool’s attack when he came on.
Divock Origi (8) – Had an instant impact, linking up with Salah to set up the Robertson goal before then scoring a goal of his own 84 minutes in.
Jordan Henderson (5) – Good cross in build-up to Origi’s goal.
Everton player ratings
Jordan Pickford (4.5) – Dealt with the few things he had to in the first 45 well. Couldn’t do much about the goals.
Seamus Coleman (4) – Kept Jota quiet before he was moved through the middle. Should have tracked Robertson better for his goal.
Mason Holgate (5) – Not a great display, but not terrible considering who he was up against.
Michael Keane (4) – Should have tracked Origi better for his goal.
Vitali Mykolenko (7) – Bright start that saw him chasing the ball down and making a number of tackles to keep Salah quiet. Continued to look defensively astute throughout the match.
Allan (5) – Good start to the game but struggled to deal with Liverpool’s attack once Klopp brought on Origi and switched to a 4-2-4.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (5) – Broke up play well in the first half but should have done a lot better with his chance when sent through by Richarlison.
Alex Iwobi (5) – Showed great intensity and pressing ability to stop Liverpool attacks before they reached their front three early on. Was less effective after the hosts’ formation change.
Anthony Gordon (6.5) – Caused Alexander-Arnold issues down Liverpool’s right and was unlucky not to win a free-kick in a good position early on.
Demarai Gray (4) – A quiet game that saw him largely ineffective at both ends of the pitch.
Richarlison (4.5) – Quiet 90 minutes from the Brazilian which was to be expected given the manner in which Everton were set up. But he did play a good ball through to Doucoure on the counter 33 minutes in, which the Frenchman should have done better with.
Substitutes
Dele Alli (5) – Created one good chance when he came on.
Salomon Rondon (N/A)
What the experts said
Shades of Liverpool v Chelsea match this one so far . ( Jose manager of Chelsea / Stevie G – Demba Ba Goal )
Liverpool frustrated and the opposition with the intent to annoy. However this Liverpool are better and this Everton aren’t Jose Chelsea !
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 24, 2022
32 – Everton completed 32 passes in the first half at Anfield, the fewest by a team in the opening period of a Premier League game since November 2006 (30 by Watford against Portsmouth). Shell. pic.twitter.com/wTAuWV7nd8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 24, 2022
0 – This is only the second time this season in the Premier League where Liverpool have failed to record a shot on target in the first half of a home game, along with against Manchester City last October. Scratchy. pic.twitter.com/8PRkKCEmJl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 24, 2022
Vitaliy Mykolenko’s has won 3/4 tackles in the first-half vs Liverpool, more than any player on the pitch.
Big task up against Mo Salah. 🔵💪 pic.twitter.com/79u7PbhE06
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 24, 2022
Anthony Gordon has been a superb outlet for Everton
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) April 24, 2022
What the fans said
If Clutch was a Person,#LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/NJ59m5RHIK
— 𝑵𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒓 (@nasrthegreat) April 24, 2022
Exact point when Everton knew they are getting relegated pic.twitter.com/pxzoWAdujy
— LFC Pain In The Ass (@FunFootballer) April 24, 2022
What you may have missed
Should Sadio Mane have been sent off in the first half? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Q3dBvKCygN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2022
Click here to view our latest Premier League betting tips.
