Second-half goals from Andrew Robertson and Divock Origi helped Liverpool to a 2-0 win over local rivals Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
The first half at Anfield was a largely scrappy affair as Everton went about disrupting Liverpool and wasting time rather than trying to pose a goal threat going forward. Ironically, though, the Toffees had the best chance of the first period when Richarlison put Abdoulaye Doucoure through, only for the midfielder to fire his effort wide.
Liverpool also failed to muster up any clearcut chances, with Diogo Jota’s first-time volley from Andrew Robertson’s cutback being the only notable opportunity for the home team. The Reds came out looking much more dangerous in the second period and put Everton under pressure before eventually breaking the deadlock a little past the hour mark.
Mohamed Salah played a lovely cross, and Andrew Robertson was present at the back post to head it into the ground and past Jordan Pickford to make it 1-0. The Toffees came close through Alex Iwobi’s effort not long after but could not test Alisson in goal. Thiago Alcantara, meanwhile, drew a save from Pickford via a deflected effort as the hosts pressed for a second goal.
And it finally came in the 85th minute when substitute Luis Diaz tried a spectacular bicycle kick only to see it fall to Divock Origi, who made no mistake in heading the ball into the roof of the net. The result sees Liverpool move to within one point of league leaders Manchester City while Everton find themselves in the relegation zone following Burnley’s 1-0 victory over Wolves earlier on Sunday.
Here are our player ratings for both sets of players from a feisty Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson Becker: 6/10
The Liverpool goalkeeper had absolutely nothing to do in terms of saves as Everton did not work him even once on the afternoon. A comfortable clean sheet.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6/10
The England international had some issues against Anthony Gordon early on but recovered to keep the Evertonian quiet. However, he did get booked for a foul on the winger. Alexander-Arnold was also unable to offer the usual threat in attack.
Joel Matip: 7/10
Apart from a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge against Gordon, which could have led to a penalty, Matip was solid at the back throughout the game, dealing with whatever Everton threw at him. The defender often stepped into the midfield with the ball and tried to pick out passes, with mixed success.
Virgil van Dijk: 7/10
The Liverpool mainstay was assured and steady, as usual, at the heart of the defence, ensuring that Richarlison endured a quiet outing at Anfield. Van Dijk dealt with any aerial threat with ease and was reliable and composed with the ball as always.
Andrew Robertson: 8/10
13 – Liverpool have scored the most headed goals of any side in the Premier League this season (13), with Andy Robertson either scoring (two) or assisting (four) six of them. Signal. pic.twitter.com/1WapFaAxfG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 24, 2022
The Scotsman was a constant outlet down the left flank for Liverpool against their derby rivals and created a chance for Jota in the first period. Robertson then was at hand to turn Salah’s cross into the back of the net to score the opening goal for Liverpool. Never stopped running in another energetic display.
Naby Keita: 6/10
Starting ahead of captain Jordan Henderson, Keita could not stamp his authority on the proceedings on Sunday. There were one or two moments of promise when he pushed forward but was often slack in possession. The Guinean showed improvements after the break and was much steadier before being taken off.
Fabinho: 6.5/10
Not the Brazilian enforcer’s finest performance, as he lacked that bit of quality on the ball to help unlock the Everton defence. But Fabinho did well to keep things ticking along, especially in the second half.
Thiago Alcantara: 7/10
After a masterclass against Manchester United in midweek, Thiago was not quite at the same level in the Merseyside derby. But, the Spaniard constantly was on the prowl to carve out chances, and pierce open the Everton defence, with his range of distribution on display again. He also put in valiant efforts off the ball when needed. Thiago also drew a save from Pickford in the second half.
Mohamed Salah: 7/10
Most Goals ⚽
Most Assists ?️
Most big chances created ?
Most Goal contributions against the Big 6
Mohamed Salah deserves the PFA Player of the yearthis season ?#LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/fydB8mI1pC
— Salah Central (@SalahCentral) April 24, 2022
The Egyptian superstar looked the likeliest to make things happen for Liverpool in the first period. However, he could not pose much of a goal threat. He was at hand to produce a fine cross to set Robertson up for the opening goal in the second half. Yet another vital contribution in a crucial encounter for Liverpool.
Sadio Mane: 5/10
A quiet evening for the Senegalese speedster, with his most notable involvement coming in the fracas against Everton players when he appeared to poke Mason Holgate in the face and was lucky not to be sent off.
Diogo Jota: 5/10
Given the nod on the left flank ahead of Luis Diaz, Jota’s most eye-catching moment of the game came in the first half when he sent a volley wide off the mark. Apart from that, the Portuguese forward brought little to the table.
SUBSTITUTES
Divock Origi: 8/10
The Belgian international came on in place of Keita at the hour mark and made a telling impact on the proceedings. Origi was involved in the buildup to the opening goal, linking up neatly with Salah. The striker then killed the tie off by scoring the second goal of the game. He continues to haunt Everton.
DIVOCK ORIGI STATUE NEEDED!!! pic.twitter.com/v4WytekPGs
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) April 24, 2022
Luis Diaz: 7/10
The January arrival replaced Mane for the final thirty minutes and caused Everton all sorts of problems with his neat touches, direct running and movement. Diaz got the assist for Origi’s strike with an audacious bicycle kick.
Jordan Henderson: N/A
The Liverpool skipper replaced Jota with less than ten minutes left and helped see out the game.
Everton Player Ratings
Jordan Pickford: 6/10
Not a lot that the England international could have done to stop either of Liverpool’s goals on the evening. His kicking down the left channel was an attacking outlet for Everton in the first half.
Seamus Coleman: 6/10
The Everton skipper was in his elements on the day, as he added the grit and determination at the back while also managing to get under the skin of Jota on occasions. However, he failed to defend the far post leading to Robertson’s goal that opened the doors for a Liverpool win.
Mason Holgate: 6/10
Holgate did well for most of the game to keep Liverpool at bay as he made several important clearances to ensure that Everton stayed in the contest. He was poked in the eye by Mane during the melee that took place late in the first half. The defender was guilty of playing Diaz onside, leading to Origi’s goal.
How is pushing Allan in the face and poking Holgate in the eye just 1 yellow card? pic.twitter.com/49oLxVgycx
— Andy Castell (@AJ3) April 24, 2022
Michael Keane: 6/10
Drafted into the starting XI late on after Ben Godfrey pulled up with an injury during the warm-up, Keane did well to settle into the game on short notice and played his part in repelling the Liverpool frontline in the first half. He failed to track Origi for the second goal.
Vitaliy Mykolenko: 6.5/10
An assured display from the January signing, who did well to deal with the threat of Mohamed Salah on his flank, holding his own against the Egyptian in one-on-one situations. However, the cross for the first goal came from his flank, which eats into his rating slightly.
Abdoulaye Doucoure: 6/10
Drafted into the lineup in place of Fabian Delph, Doucoure had the best chance of the first half but dragged his effort wide. The midfielder worked hard off the ball and made some key interventions to frustrate the home team. However, he made a poor foul, leading to the mini bust-up between the two sets of players in the first period.
? – Doucouré is away but his shot doesn’t find the target. pic.twitter.com/X3ScaBUmnU
— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) April 24, 2022
Allan: 6/10
Screening the Everton defence, the Brazilian had a lot of work to do off the ball, which he did, for the most part, covering large areas of the pitch in an attempt to keep Liverpool away. He lacked the quality on the ball on the rare occasions when he was in possession. Allan was involved in the thick of things in the melee in the first half.
Alex Iwobi: 5/10
The ex-Arsenal ace once again started as a part of the midfield three on Sunday and had some positive moments when driving forward with the ball. However, Iwobi lacked the end product to make those moments count.
Demarai Gray: 5/10
Apart from a fine effort with which he went close to scoring in the second half, Gray could not do much of note in the final third. He tracked back effectively for most of the game, but did not track Robertson for the opening goal.
Richarlison: 5/10
Everton’s main man in attack had his moments in the first period when he made some dangerous-looking runs in the left channel. However, he never really threatened the Reds’ goal and faded quite drastically after the break.
Anthony Gordon: 7/10
Everton may have lost today, but they played well.
Anthony Gordon is very, very good pic.twitter.com/boYbmEcg90
— Harry (@HarryCFC170) April 24, 2022
A lively presence on the left flank, Gordon caused problems to both Alexander-Arnold and Matip with his pace and running. He drew a couple of fouls from the former and could have won a penalty for a shove from the latter. However, the youngster was booked for diving in the first half, which may have worked against him in the end.
SUBSTITUTES
Dele Alli: 6/10
The ex-Tottenham man came on for Allan in the 73rd minute. He helped create a chance for Iwobi.
Salomon Rondon: N/A
On for Gray with less than 15 minutes left.
