Liverpool 1–0 Everton Player Ratings: Diogo Jota Scores the Winner as the Reds Hit a Century of Merseyside Derby Wins

Liverpool hit a century of wins in the Merseyside Derby with an effective performance against Everton at Anfield. The Reds started on the front foot, but a resilient Everton side held them well. They were threatening on the breaks, too. Diogo Jota finally opened the scoring in the second half after a well-taken finish. Everton couldn’t get a goal that could salvage the game for them as Liverpool edged one step closer to the league title.

Liverpool were not in the best form before the international break. They crashed out of the Champions League and lost the Carabao Cup final before getting much-needed respite from club football. Arne Slot also had to contend with the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to an injury and the never-ending talk of the contract saga of the big three. The starting eleven was full of surprises on the night.

Curtis Jones started at right-back as Conor Bradley couldn’t recover in time for the fixture. Caoimhin Kelleher replaced Alisson, who couldn’t get back to fitness on time. Ryan Gravenberch shrugged off injury fears to start. Mohamed Salah needed to answer his critics after a quiet couple of weeks.

Everton couldn’t thank David Moyes for dragging them to safety in the Premier League single-handedly. He came into this clash in the hope of getting a win against Liverpool for the first time in his managerial career. He was without his star forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dwight McNeil, and Iliman Ndiaye going into this clash. Beto took the initiative of goal scoring for The Toffees.

Liverpool started the night brightly, but Everton settled into their deep block. The Visitors often put up a back six, forcing Liverpool into a lot of intricate passes and quick switches of play to break them down. Ibrahima Konate came close with a header from a corner early on. James Tarkwoski went into the book for scything Alexis MacAllister just 12 minutes into the game. There were questions asked whether there was any need for a severe punishment, but they were waved away.

Dominik Szoboszlai powered the resulting free kick just wide. Beto thought he gave Everton the lead when he squeezed one past Kelleher, but he was caught offside by Liverpool’s proactive centre-backs. Luis Diaz then found Salah with a good cross, but Jordan Pickford pulled off a fine save to deny him. Beto was again the outlet for the Toffees as he got the better of Virgil van Dijk and beat Kelleher as well, but the post came to Liverpool’s rescue.

Liverpool were looking a little lost as they couldn’t create clear-cut opportunities to break Everton down. Beto used this to full advantage as Everton grew dangerous on each break. The visitors ended the half brightly as they had a great free kick opportunity that was headed wide by Alcaraz. The game was hanging in the balance going into the second half.

The second half followed a similar script to the first as Liverpool looked toothless with the ball and Everton threatened on the breaks. But in the 57th minute, Everton’s resistance was broken as Liverpool found an extra gear. Diogo Jota collected a Luis Diaz reverse flick and danced through 2 defenders before firing it past Pickford into the centre of the net. It marked a first goal in 11 games for the Portuguese poacher and released a lot of pressure off the title-chasing Reds.

The goal allowed Liverpool to play freely as they controlled the game a lot better and got better offensively, too. But Everton hung in as they knew it was only a single goal load. But Liverpool expertly managed to see out the game and grab all 3 points.

A sweet victory for Liverpool sees them collect 100 wins against Everton in the Merseyside Derby. This win also puts them one step closer to the Premier League title as they maintain a sizable lead at the top of the table. Everton fell flat at Anfield, once again continuing their poor record away from home against the Reds. Liverpool will visit Fulham on the weekend as Everton hosts Arsenal in the league. Here are Liverpool vs Everton Player Ratings.

Liverpool Player Ratings

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher – 6/10

On his first ever start in the Merseyside Derby, he showed some composure with his feet. Was beaten by Beto, but the post came to his rescue.

RB – Curtis Jones- 7/10

Starting as a right-back for the first time, he showed caution on the wing and in the box while tackling. Tried to overlap and provide support to Salah outside. Impressed in a new role with full of energy.

CB – Ibrahima Konate – 6.5/10

Saw a first glimpse of a goal from a set piece but couldn’t keep it on target. Was winning foot races with Beto in a high line. But the striker did manage to outmuscle him quite a few times.

CB – Virgin van Dijk – 6.5/10

Started the game with his trademark long switches of play from the back. He was having a tough time with Beto, who wouldn’t let him settle for a moment.

LB – Andrew Robertson – 6.5/10

An energetic start to the game with both overlapping and underlapping runs to support the attack. He was the first to trot back and defend as well.

DM – Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10

Beacme the youngest Liverpool player to start 30 league games in a single campaign consecutively. The signs of burnout were clearly visible as he looked a yard slower and jaded at times. Showed his attacking range with some good crossed and shots from outside the boxes.

DM – Alexis MacAllister – 7/10

Made a couple of good runs late into the box, but they were ignored by his teammates. Kept his side flowing with some good passes and intelligent blocks.

RW – Mohamed Salah – 6.5/10

Involved in making his trademark passes and crosses after cutting in, Salah was always looking for a way towards the goal. Had a good header saved and was always double up by Everton’s defence.

CAM – Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5/10

Had a good free kick that was inches wide early on. Involved in endless pressing for Liverpool from the word go. Could’ve been bolder with the ball at his feet.

LW – Luis Diaz – 7/10

A lot of hits and misses for the Colombian, who is searching for consistency with his club. He tried his best with crosses but found an assist with a clever flick to Jota.

ST – Diogo Jota – 8/10

Danced through the defence a couple of times but had his shot blocked or pinched off his feet. Drifted wide and swapped with Diaz to create openings. Took a well-worked goal to break his duck and give his side the lead.

Sub – Darwin Nunez – 6/10

Sub – Cody Gakpo – 6/10

Sub – Wataru Endo – 6/10

Manager – Arne Slot – 7/10

A few injuries forced him to tweak his lineup. His side wasn’t at their fluent best as they struggled in chance creation. The ultra aggressive high line also is getting exposed and needed some fixing. An improved performance in the second half comes as a relief as goals and control are all that he asks for.

Everton Player Ratings

GK – Jordan Pickford – 6/10

Looked unconvincing while dealing with set pieces. But made a fine save when Salah headed towards the goal. Was well beaten for Jota’s goal.

RB – Jake O’Brien – 6.5/10

Held his own against Diaz brilliantly and made some good tackles to win the ball. Could contribute very little going forward.

CB – James Tarkowski – 6,5/10

A rash challenge early on with a high follow-through, he could’ve been sent off on another day. Always solid when defending his box, though. An unnecessary intervention led to Liverpool’s first goal.

CB – Jarrad Branthwaite – 6/10

Showed good composure when pressed by Liverpool and was lucky that his lapses while defending weren’t capitalised by the hosts. Almost scored an own-goal with a clearance in the second half.

LB – Vitaliy Mykolenko – 6.5/10

He completely stayed back on the left side of defence to deal with the threat of Salah. Was winning some duels with him and was getting beaten consistently, too.

DM – Idrisse Gueye – 6/10

Offered a helping hand to Mykolenko to deal with the force of Salah. A few important tackles inside his box to keep them hanging on.

DM – James Garner – 6/10

Joined the defence often to make it a back six. He had to be very disciplined in his tackles and also try to drive his side forward.

RW – Jack Harrison – 5/10

The most anonymous of the visitors’ attack, as he barely had a sniff of the ball in the first half. Compensated for it with some good tracking back and defending. Wasted a few potential corners.

CAM – Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6/10

Involved in some good counters for them as he also lent his defence a helping hand with tracking back and making some tackles.

LW – Carlos Alcaraz – 6.5/10

Similar to Harrison, the wingers were underutilized as Everton went long from the back or directly south Beto to get out of jail. Did take a shot from outside as Beto set him up with a layoff.

ST – Beto – 7/10

A brilliant outlet to his side. He lost a few duels but kept on running and scored an offside goal and then hit the post once.

Sub – Iliman Ndiaye – 6/10

Back from an injury layoff, he was hoping to continue his pre-injury goal-scoring form.

Sub – Tim Iroegbunam – 6/10

Sub – Ashley Young – 6/10

Sub – Armando Broja – 6/10

Sub – Youssef Chermiti – 6/10

Manager – David Moyes – 6/10

An inspired performance from his side, as they needed to be at a 100% level to hold Liverpool. On the break, they were incredibly threatening as well. However, the concentration levels dropped in the second half as the hosts took the lead. Once Liverpool controlled the game better, they barely had a chance in the second half.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Diogo Jota