By: Shane Brennan.
Liverpool travelled to Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon to face Everton in the Merseyside Derby, as The Reds looked to follow up their dramatic victory on Wednesday evening with another three points, but what exactly did we learn?
The first half was a tight cagy affair with both teams trying to figure each other out, the first real chance of the game fell Everton’s way, as a Demarai Gray corner managed to be only half cleared by Luis Diaz with Anthony Gordon picking up the pieces to have a strike on goal, from which Alisson Becker was more than equal to.
The next chance was to also come The Toffees way, as a good old derby scrap for the football ended up falling for Neal Maupay as he managed to get the ball to Davies who cracked the ball against the woodwork to leave Liverpool’s nerves jangling.
Liverpool then came close to scoring as a suburb ball from Joe Gomez managed to find the on rushing Darwin Nunez, as he unleashed an explosive shot from the tightest of angles, but Jordan Pickford was on hand to produce a stunning save to keep his side on level terms, but the danger wasn’t cleared as Diaz rained another attempt in on the Everton goal, this time sadly the ball came back off the post the far side of the goal, as somehow Everton went in on level terms at the break.
Liverpool started the second half really brightly and they were almost rewarded with the opening goal when Harvey Elliott put the ball across the goal with speed, the ball nearly fell for Roberto Firmino, but it came all the way to Kostas Tsimikas, who sadly could not keep his attempt low, as another opportunity passed The Reds by.
Firmino was next to test outPickford’s reflexes as the Brazilian international put a fine attempt in on goal, but Pickford was in inspired form as he managed to produce an excellent save.
And Everton’s keeper was in the way once again to Deny Nunez and Fabinho in quick succession, as Liverpool were wondering just what would they have to do to break the deadlock!
But it was nearly Everton who were in luck as a blistering quick counter attack should have really given the blue side of Merseyside the lead when Gray managed to pick out Maupay in plenty of space, but somehow Everton’s new signing could not oblige as Alisson Becker got in the way .
Everton thought they did have the advantage when former Red Conor Coady knocked the ball home from close range. Thankfully the celebrations were cut short thanks to Darren England adjudging him to be offside.
Then Dwight McNeil had a super attempt at goal that had Alisson reaching all the way to tip his shot over the bar.
Liverpool then had late late chances to win it through Firmino and Mohamed Salah, but Pickford once again rode to Everton’s rescue in what was a man of the match performance in a game that ended honours even on Merseyside.
Conclusion
Liverpool are really still trying to find their form six games in to the new campaign. Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Alisson Becker all had stand out performances, on a day that was ultimately a disappointing one, as the Reds loose yet more early ground in the title race.
