PLAYER RATINGS: EVERTON 1-4 LIVERPOOL

Guest Article: Written by Misheal

Liverpool thrashed bitter rivals Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park tonight. The gulf in class between the two sides was evident at the end as goals from skipper Jordan Henderson, Mohamed Salah (×2) and Diogo Jota saw the Reds in ecstasy. Demarai Gray halved the deficit in the first half. Read on for player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 6.5

An accomplished performance. Was unlucky not to keep his clean sheet, and aside the last 10 minutes of the first half when Everton flattered to deceive, he had nothing to do all game long.

Alexander-Arnold – 7

A regular performance. Didn’t pull down any trees, and asides that lapse for their goal, he did his job both ways just well. Docked a point for that goal. Played some unbelievable balls especially early on to put Mané in. Dangerous set pieces too and went close to scoring with a left footed effort from outside the box.

Matip – 7.5

Did his job beside his partner. Dealt well with Gray’s forays, by reading his intentions, and nipping it in the bud before he formented trouble. Should have scored in the opening few minutes when he nodded a free header wide from a Trent corner.

Van Dijk – 7.5

Ate everything in the air and on the ground. Marshalled his defence as well as always. Attempted a free kick on the edge of the box, smashing it into the wall. Looks like the boys are getting free time at the AXA.

Robertson – 8.5

Full of running, energy and innovation. Laid it on a plate for Henderson to curl home, and was also very instrumental in Jota’s blast of a finish. Defended very well and rendered Townsend toothless while he was on the pitch. Two assists! Back to his best.

Fabinho – 7.5

Sitting at the base, he was very much a key cog of disrupting whatever Everton had in mind, as well as kick-starting moves for Liverpool. Held that Midfield down and allowed others take the shine. Broke forward early on and clipped a pass to Mané on the left, that led to Salah going close to opening the scoring.

Henderson – 9

Channeled his inner Gerrard tonight. That curler was such a beauty, especially coming from his weaker left peg. Also provided an assist to boot for Liverpool’s second with a raking pass to Salah, reminiscent of his assist at Old Trafford. Co Man of the Match for me.

Thiago – 7.5

Controlled the tempo of the game. Was always an available outlet for the ball, ever willing, never shying away, and kept things ticking over. Got his customary shot from range, but it wasn’t going to be third time lucky for him tonight. Booked for barely touching Allan, farcical decision.

Salah – 9

Mo Salah! Mo Salah! running down the wing! Sa-la-la-lah! Stop him if you can.
Took his first goal with aplomb, opening up his body and curling it into the top corner. The second was even better, bore down on Coleman, and with superb upper body strength, evaded the attempt to bring him down, ran half the length of the pitch and Salah-ed it. Man of the match!

Jota – 8

Looked like one of those days for him, where things don’t just fall in place, but he kept going, and was finally rewarded. Ran into the empty space, took a deft touch to evade the hounding Allan, looked up, and hit a belter into the roof of the net. That’s how an off day should end. He was on the end of two nasty tackles from Allan first half.

Mané – 7

Another one with an offish day, but he was a handful for the Everton midfield and defense. Roughed it up when he needed to, and did his bit, both ways. Professional performance all round. Crossed into Salah for an early chance. Combined well with Robertson for Henderson’s goal.

Substitutes

Milner – N/A

Brought on to steady the ship, after the game had already been won, and trust Milner to do his job.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – N/A

Relieved the mileage in the skipper’s legs. There are a lot of matches still to play, and everyone will be needed in tip top shape.

Minamino – N/A

Got a run out in place of Salah. I’m sure he’d have liked some more minutes after the Arsenal lift he got with his goal, but there are enough matches on the horizon, the weekend and AC Milan in mind. He could start one or both.

Jurgen Klopp

What a night! Went with his strongest team and was rewarded with a top class performance. No injuries to report despite Everton’s best efforts. Perfect night really. Got everything spot on.