Liverpool made the short trip over to Goodison Park on Monday night to take on Everton in the first Merseyside derby of the season. A tightly contested affair yielded little dividend for either side until the dying minutes when a poacher’s goal from Sadio Mane finally put Liverpool over the line.
Here’s a look at how the players fared in this all important match-up.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 7/10
Had precious little to do throughout the match as Everton couldn’t pose any serious threat on the Liverpool goal. Got the ball out from under his feet well enough
Nathaniel Clyne – 7/10
Like the rest of the Reds, he wasn’t too impressive in the first half but really grew into the game as the second half progressed. Was part of most Liverpool attacks in the second period and didn’t need to do much defensively.
Dejan Lovren – 6.5/10
Not a very difficult game for the central defender with Everton failing to create clear-cut chances and his fellow centre back having a good game. Dealt with whatever came his way with relative ease. Picked up an unnecessary yellow card for a foul on Lukaku.
Ragnar Klavan - 7.5/10
A solid game for the Estonian. Managed to keep Lukaku at bay throughout the duration of the game. Will surely be featuring in Klopp’s immediate plans after this performance.
James Milner – 6.5/10
A mixed bag for the hard working player tonight. Coleman proved to be a bit tricky to handle at times but mostly defended neatly. Had some joy going forward but was let down at times by his final delivery.
Jordan Henderson – 5/10
An ordinary display from the Liverpool skipper. Did not offer a lot going forward and did little in breaking up play. His delivery from corners was also suspect. Was the recipient of a harsh challenge by Ross Barkley in the second half and had a brief coming together with the young Evertonian later.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 7/10
Very assured on the ball tonight and offered significant impetus both in attack and defence.
Adam Lallana – 5/10
Will be thoroughly disappointed his showing tonight after his performance against Middlesborough in the last game. Couldn’t maintain the form he had showcased in his previous outing for Liverpool and was ultimately subbed on for Emre Can in the 81st minute.
Roberto Firmino – 7/10
Like the rest of Liverpool’s offensive players, didn’t figure whatsoever in the first half. Was part of the attacks in the second, but was largely wasteful on the ball. He did show a few moments of brilliance, however. A superb volley drew a save from the Everton custodian. The Brazilian also almost scored a goal deep into extra time but was thwarted by a Coleman goal line clearance.
Sadio Mane – 8/10
Toiled hard throughout the match and looked to be Liverpool’s main man going forward tonight. Ultimately proved to be Liverpool’s big match winner as he pounced on a rebound from a Daniel Sturridge shot that had hit the post. Good derby showing for the Senegalese sniper.
Divock Origi - 6/10
Divock Origi failed to make it 6 out of 6 as he failed to shine in front of goal. Should have done better from the one clear chance that he had got and was subbed on for the returning Daniel Sturridge in the 81st minute.
Substitutes
Daniel Sturridge (On for Divock Origi-81’) – 7.5/10
Liverpool’s golden boy in recent Merseyside derbies once again proved to be the difference for the Reds. Sturridge’s shot in the third minute of extra time beat substitute Everton goalkeeper Robles and looked all set to go in but rebounded after hitting the post. Sadio Mane turned in the stray ball to hand Liverpool a precious goal and win.
Emre Can (On for Adam Lallana-81’)-4/10
Came on alongside Sturridge as part of a double change but couldn’t contribute anything of note except for sending a wayward cross straight into the crowd.
Lucas (On for Sadio Mane-97’)-N/A
Came on late in the game as extra defensive cover following the goal.
Everton
Maarten Stekelenburg – 6.5/10
The Everton Goalkeeper had little to do until a Firmino backheel set up Sadio Mane. Leighton Baines in an attempt to clear the ball crashed into his goalkeeper and the blow was too much for Stekelenburg to take. In spite of his best efforts, he had to be substituted by Joel Robles in the 63rd minute.
Seamus Coleman – 7.5/10
The best Everton p layer on the pitch tonight. Really sizzled in the first half with some surging runs down the left flank and solid defending against opposition attacks. Somewhat fizzled out in the second half but regained some flair in the dying stages of the match. A stunning late goal line clearance by the Irishman saw the scoreline being restricted to 1-0.
Ramiro Funes Mori – 6.5/10
Stepped in for the suspended Phir Jagielka and had a solid game at the back. Managed to hold back the Liverpool forwards for most of the game except for the Sadio Mane goal.
Ashley Williams – 6.5/10
Like Funes Mori had a solid game at the back up until the goal. Also registered Everton’s first shot on target in the match with a header fired on the Liverpool goal but straight at Mignolet.
Leighton Baines – 5.5/10
Not a very good day for the Toffees’ skipper. Wasn’t decisive enough going forward and had his hands full in defence dealing with Clyne.
James McCarthy – 6.5/10
Played according to plan during his stay on the pitch and looked to be an important link for Everton. An unfortunate knock picked up in the first half led him to being replaced by Gareth Barry before the start of the second period.
Ross Barkley – 3/10
A terrible showing from the talented youngster. Couldn’t offer much for his team on the attack and vented his frustration by aiming a horrible challenge on Jordan Henderson. Very lucky to have escaped a red card for that lunge.
Aaron Lennon – 6.5/10
Didn’t see much of the ball at all but was assured whenever he was on it. Tracked back efficiently and helped out his defence.
Idrissa Gueye – 6.5/10
Tried his best to make something work for Everton in the midfield. Was unfortunate to have picked up a late yellow card for a late challenge on Mane.
Enner Valencia – 4.5/10
Threatened to break out of the shackles at times but generally underwhelmed.
Romelu Lukaku – 4/10
The big Belgian will hope to forget this game as soon as possible. Got no supply whatsoever and could do precious little with the chances that did come his way with Klavan and Lovren hounding him all the time.
Substitutes:
Gareth Barry (On for James McCarthy-45’)-5/10
Came on for the injured McCarthy at the start of the second half and though he tried his best, was largely uninfluential at the centre of the park.
Joel Robles (On for Maarten Stekelenburg-63’) – 6.5/10
Will be gutted to see the final result. Made a superb save to deny Firmino after he was introduced for the injured Stekelenburg. However, could hardly do anything about the winner.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6.5/10
Brought on for Enner Valencia in the 71st minute and though he brought some energy to the game didn’t contribute enough on the attacking front.
