PLAYER RATINGS: EVERTON 0-0 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Everton, in what was a game for the goalkeepers. Pickford and Alisson both made some brilliant saves to preserve their clean sheets. Here are player ratings from the encounter.

Alisson – 9

What a save he made on McNeil’s deflected shot. Terrific save. Saved our bacon with a huge one on one save from Maupay before that as well. Earned that clean sheet.

Alexander-Arnold – 7

Looked our most creative outlet first half. Played some well weighted passes into the final third. Found Darwin backpost with a wonderful cross. Was switched on defensively and played well. Surprised he was taken off that early.

Gomez – 8

He strangely chose to flick a cross away, only to see it fall to Maupay. He got away with it and was otherwise excellent. Used his pace to cover well at the back and won most of his duels with Gordon and Maupay. Kept the ball moving as well. Shifted to right back late on.

Van Dijk – 7.5

Made a crucial block on Maupay’s shot after Gomez’s error. Made another key block second half. It was backs to the wall defending at times.

Tsimikas – 6

Was heavily involved. Put himself about and got under the Evertonians’ skin first half. Got into good positions but his delivery left a bit to be desired. Should have scored when he blazed over unmarked at the backpost. Subbed before the hour mark.

Fabinho – 7

Started slowly but quickly grew into it. He can be a bit too conservative on the ball I feel. Needs to send us forward more often than he does. Battled well till the end even though he was running on fumes.

Elliott – 6

Not as influential as in previous games. Didn’t receive the ball in the half spaces enough. Had to be disciplined in a two man midfield second half. Tired as the game wore on.

Carvalho – 5

Quiet. Couldn’t really get into it. Kept it safe when he got it. Took a whack on the knee and couldn’t run it off. Subbed at the break.

Salah – 5

Poor. You start to worry about him now. He’s playing way too wide and isn’t affecting games much. He ghosted throughout 90 minutes and only sparked into life in injury time when he crashed a shot against the foot of the post. Didn’t get a change out of Mykolenko.

Darwin – 6.5

Should have done better with a header early on. Went close with another header. Brought down Gomez’s long ball well and was denied a screamer by a terrific Pickford save. Saw a volley easily saved second half and set up Firmino and Fabinho for opportunities in the box.

Diaz – 6

Gave the ball away a lot. Full of running and endeavour but not enough quality in the end. Was unlucky to see a shot crash off the post first half, but we tend to say that a lot about him. Maybe it’s not down to luck. Needs to sharpen up infront of goal. Did well to set Salah up for that late chance.

Substitutes

Firmino – 7

Had a number of pops at goal but couldn’t beat an inspired Pickford. Should have directed his header from the corner though.

Milner – 5

I didn’t get the sub at the time, why put on Milner at right back against the pacy Gordon when Trent was playing just fine? The 36 year old struggled to keep Gordon under wraps and failed to close down Maupay for their disallowed goal. He was easily bypassed when Everton broke on the counter from corners.

Robertson – 6.5

Gave the side an injection of energy down that left flank. His deliveries were better today. Full of running till the end.

Matip – N/A

Passed one ball straight to Pickford late on. That was frustrating. Didn’t have much to do.

Jota – N/A

Lovely to see him back in action. Was his usual wiry self and forced a few openings. Unlucky with the rebound of the Salah shot deep into stoppage time. It came off his shin as he couldn’t readjust quickly enough.

Jürgen Klopp

The manager went with a brave XI, with Carvalho and Elliott starting together in midfield for the first time. His side started slowly again but grew into the game as it wore on. He made his subs early enough and played a 4-2-3-1 second half.

Chanced his arm to try and get over the line but it wasn’t to be. His side created enough chances to have won that game. Yet more dropped points. 9 points from a possible 18 is a nightmare start to the season.