Sam Allardyce made Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool look like the Liverpool of the old as they failed to break down an Everton side, that was content on sitting back and frustrating the visitors. In what turned out to be a goalless draw, the 231st Merseyside derby ended with both teams sharing a point each and what is more surprising is the fact that it did not even produce a single card.
It is probably a reflection of what the Reds wanted from this game, just days before travelling to Etihad for one of the most important games of the season. A much weaker side saw Liverpool dominate most of the possession but fail to create enough chances to win the game. They could have fallen behind after a late surge from Everton but managed to hold on to a clean sheet and a crucial point, that takes them closer to a place in the top-4. Young Dominic Solanke had the best chance of the night but Klopp will not be too worried about the result. Here are the player’s ratings for the Liverpool players in this 0-0 draw:
Loris Karius (7):
Made one superb save to deny Bolasie early in the game but had a rather comfortable night otherwise.
Nathaniel Clyne (6):
Liverpool’s most experienced right-back finally made his first appearance this season and showed enough energy and grit to impress the fans and the manager.
Dejan Lovren (7):
Looked confident after the display against City and hardly put a foot wrong, helping his side to a clean sheet.
Virgil van Dijk (7):
Never gave Tosun any space on the ball and soaked up the pressure late in the game to see off a flurry of Everton attacks and keep the game at 0-0.
Ragnar Klavan (6):
Played a floating role on the left side of the Liverpool backline and did well to keep Everton attacks down that wing at bay.
Jordan Henderson (6):
Yet another decent game, where he controlled the tempo but needed to do a lot more in an attacking sense to win the derby for his side.
Georginio Wijnaldum (7):
Liverpool’s best player in the first half, Wijnaldum ran rings around the Everton midfield but slowly faded away late in the game.
James Milner (7):
Like Klavan, played a floating role on the left flank, adding width to the Liverpool attack and keeping Everton pinned back for most of the game.
Sadio Mane (6):
Liverpool’s most exciting outlet in the attack, Mane came close to breaching the Everton defence but did not do enough to win his side the tie.
Danny Ings (6):
No faulting his energy or desire on and off the ball but did not look technically good enough to trouble Everton on the night.
Dominic Solanke (6):
Was given the responsibility to lead the attack and should have scored early in the game. Acted as a target man when needed but needs to improve on his finishing.
Substitutes:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (6):
Injected some urgency into the game but not enough to find the back of the net.
Roberto Firmino (N/A):
Added presence in the midfield but did not have any real effect in the final third.
Trent Alexandre-Arnold (N/A)
