Lovren continues to baffle, Big Sam knows how to stifle: 5 talking points from Liverpool vs Everton

It was a classic smash and grab in last evening’s Merseyside derby, as Everton managed to snatch a point from Liverpool at Anfield. Despite thoroughly dominating the game, Liverpool failed to add to their one-goal lead, scored by Mohamed Salah, and let Everton back in the game.

Wayne Rooney, who had never scored in a Merseyside derby, managed to tuck away the penalty and give his side a point, which many would say was undeserved. The home fans were incensed at the full-time whistle, because of their team’s inability to pick up a win and take advantage of the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal dropping points.

The derby wasn’t the most heated of games, something it’s known for. But it did have plenty of talking points.

#5 Liverpool’s squad depth

About this time last year, Liverpool had a drop in form after losing a few key players. While Sadio Mane left for the AFCON in January, Philippe Coutinho was injured for a while and the Reds simply couldn’t buy a win to stay in the race for the title.

Now, however, things have sort of changed. Going into the derby, Jürgen Klopp decided not give Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum a breather, which not many would have predicted before the lineups were out.

Dominic Solanke didn’t have the worst of games, and Oxlade-Chamberlain was impressive in patches, so Liverpool at least have a squad that’ll prevent panic stations, if say, one of Coutinho, Mane or Salah gets injured.

#4 Everton have a game plan, no matter how drab it is

Sam Allardyce’s appointment wasn’t met with optimism, but the Everton fans sort of knew what they were going to get. The former England manager has a clear game plan of stopping teams from playing first and then trying to pinch something at the other end.

Sure, it’s frustrating, but can it get any worse than what the Evertonians endured in that chastening first few months under Ronald Koeman? Against Liverpool, Everton defended sturdily and limited the hosts to a few chances, even though they should have been punished.

Allardyce is a devout fan of stats, so if you keep a clean sheet, you’re guaranteed a point, are you not? On the other hand, even two goals don’t really guarantee you a point, so it’s easy to see why his priority lies in the strengthening the defence.

#3 The penalty incident, and Lovren doing a Lovren

The Liverpool fans are so sick and tired of Dejan Lovren’s performances, that quite a few of them have stopped caring altogether. The Croatian had a few decent games up until the derby where his silly push on Calvert-Lewin could have been avoided.

Jürgen Klopp didn’t look pleased in the post-match interview when asked about his opinion on the penalty, but after dominating a game and only picking up a point in the end, anyone would be wretched.

The whole incident could have been avoided had Lovren used his head, though. In the modern day game, players are pretty clever and will do anything to make a soft touch seem like an obstruction or impediment, and that is what Calvert-Lewin did before Rooney smashed home his penalty.

It wasn’t as if Everton were guaranteed to get something out of the move as the attacker was moving away from goal, only to receive a touch from Lovren and go down easily, thereby earning a penalty.

#2 Could the game have been sealed in the first half?

In first-half added time, Liverpool had a three vs one scenario with Mane on the ball. What should have been their second, turned out to be a woeful finish from the attacker. The Senegalese is usually pretty reliable in a one vs one situation, but of late, his goalscoring touch has somewhat faded.

Chances came at a premium for Liverpool in the first 30 minutes, but the game somewhat opened up in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Though Salah’s goal was pure individual brilliance, Liverpool’s best clear-cut chance was the Mane opportunity.

A year ago, he scored the late winner at Goodison Park and it was all smiles. This time, it was quite the opposite. The Senegalese’s goal output has been pretty low and he needs to step up, with not only his finishing, but also his decision making with games coming thick and fast in the next few weeks.

#1 Everton’s impressive run of results

The late draw at Anfield made it four games unbeaten in all competitions for the Toffees. While results have improved, the team has more balance, even though there are still about half a dozen number 10s in that squad.

Allardyce’s biggest task was to make them play as a team, and he has already done that in the last few weeks. The quality was always there, so relegation didn’t really make that much sense. With Wayne Rooney scoring the goals and the defence doing well, Everton have climbed up to 10th in the league table.

They are still some way behind in the race for the European places, so they have their task cut out. But a good second half of the season should see them rise higher up the table and bring some more respectability to their league position. Allardyce will also be looking at an FA Cup run, considering they are out of the UEFA Europa League.