The cliché “form goes out the window in a derby” might never be more applicable than the disappointing draw witnessed at Anfield. Make no mistake about it, Liverpool dropped points, finishing 1-1 against Everton in a match they should have won easily.
With a surprisingly weaker starting eleven than expected, Liverpool still absolutely dominated Everton, especially in the first half. In the opening 45 minutes, no Toffee had more touches than Jordan Pickford, who was responsible nearly a quarter of his side’s passing. Yet, Liverpool could only manage a single goal, a stunning strike from Mo Salah.
The combination of a completely rotated midfield and Dominic Solanke starting as striker resulted in a rhythm that was more syncopated than incisive. Despite all the possession and control of the game, the Reds failed with their final ball and missed their recent ruthlessness. Everton were content to stay in their own box and benefitted from a refereeing decision. Apart from a singular moment of magic by Salah, the Reds played well but did not do enough to finish off their Merseyside rivals.
In the end, poor decision-making all-around undid all the good work. Not for the first time, Dejan Lovren was at the scene of the crime. In a daft move, he clumsily committed to challenging Dominic Calvert-Lewin when there was no need to do so and the referee was conned into making a dubious decision. For all the controversy, the match should never have been close enough that conceding a bad goal would make a difference.
Here are four findings from the match.
Selfish Sadio
It is the moment in the match mired with meaning. As the first half drew to a close, Sadio Mané slipped behind the Everton defence and drove to the near post. Instead of slotting the ball square to no less than three open Reds in the goal-mouth, he elected to shoot from outside the sticks and pulled the shot well wide. It should have been an easy goal and a 2-0 lead at the break.
Attackers need to be greedy in front of goal but they also need guile. Mané showed far more of the former. Maybe it was a desire to make history by scoring in his third derby in a row, maybe it was a competitive drive to match Salah, but certainly, it was a chance to unmoor Everton completely on the way to a rout. In the end, the missed chance proved costly.
Goliath Gomez
This was without question the best first team performance from Joe Gomez to date. The full-back was everywhere, showing strength and solidity. The young defender absolutely dominated his individual battles defensively and always provided a wide outlet in transition. He was at once composed and charged for the occasion.
Amongst the back four, he took charge and increasingly looks like a future Reds leader at the back. Going forward, he provides accurate delivery, an occasional overlapping threat, and a greater target for set pieces than any of the other defensive options. He nearly headed a free-kick home and caused countless problems for Everton down the right flank.
Miserable Midfield
A midfield pairing of Jordan Henderson and James Milner is mediocre at best. This was the case against Everton. Neither played poorly but the duo lacks the dynamism that they might have been able to provide only a couple of years ago. Together they are too one-paced, too similar in quality, and too quick to play safe when bravery is needed.
Henderson simply is no longer the player he was before injuries sapped the energetic, aggressive pressing machine that he once was. Even in a modified six position, the best he can do is keep the ball shuffling from side to side. Meanwhile, Milner can provide serviceable cover and nous when required.
However, played in a pair with Hendo, his age is more than highlighted. The only player that truly looked bright on the ball in the middle of the pitch was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is growing into the side.
Gaffer’s Gambles
Jurgen Klopp made a bold decision to sit the samba boys in a gamble that ultimately ended in frustration. The boss has made rotation of the squad a rule of late and has made justifiable moves with points to prove it. There might have even been a little bit of message for Big Sam as Liverpool lined up with one of its most unlikely eleven. Lest an individual error, it very nearly worked.
Another kind of gamble is the gaffer’s substitutions, where he has drawn more justifiable criticism. Pulling Salah, who has a lot of minutes in his legs but offered the most potent terror, instead of Mané who was off-colour and not as effective was questionable. More debatable was not bringing Philippe Coutinho on earlier to add greater decisiveness to a midfield that offered so little. Apart from that, continued faith in certain players that continually let him down is another gamble altogether.