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Everton failed yet again to secure a victory at Anfield in what was their best chance of securing one since they last did so in 1999. Jurgen Klopp fielded a young Liverpool team against Carlo Ancelotti's unit who started most of their first-team players, and the Toffees still fell short at a ground where they have failed for over the past two decades.
It was a thrilling Merseyside Derby which saw the home team win by one goal. Local lad Curtis Jones' sensational strike from outside the box in the 71st minute was enough for Liverpool to beat their neighbours yet again. The Reds' team consisted of the likes of 16-year-old Harvey Elliott and the 19-year-old Yasser Larouci, with Adam Lallana being the oldest player on the field. Ancelotti decided to go with a much stronger team, and Everton had their chances to seal the game but fell short for the 22nd time in a row.
Here are three standout players from this game which saw Liverpool advancing to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
#3 Adrian
A few months ago, Adrian was the hero as Liverpool beat Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out for the UEFA Super Cup. This time around, his goalkeeping kept the Reds alive in the FA Cup as he parried away a few good shots from the opposition players and ensured that his team took the clean sheet.
Adrian started off this season by filling in for first-choice Alisson Becker after the latter he was injured, and it is hard to remember the Spanish international having a bad game for the Reds. Efforts from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate were stopped short by the keeper, and he did his job at the back by seeing off an early spell of Everton dominance.
Liverpool will be very happy with their backup keeper, who has been the club's signing of the summer without a shadow of a doubt.
#2 Pedro Chirivella
It seems as if Pedro Chirivella has been at Liverpool forever, as his name has been thrown around in the cup games team sheets for the past few seasons. However, the youngster is still only 22 years of old, and he shined brightly today in what was perhaps the performance of a lifetime for the midfielder.
Despite Everton playing almost their strongest starting eleven, Liverpool dominated possession and won the midfield battle quite comfortably - it was Chirivella who was at the centre of it all. Only one player had more touches of the ball throughout the game, and no one completed more passes (74) than the Spanish international. Chirivella was a force in the middle of the park today, and he completed over 80% of his passes while completing six accurate long balls.
It must be an encouraging sign for Klopp to see the youngster having a great game after spending years in the youth teams. With Liverpool's ongoing injury concerns, Chirivella could be a great deputy if he keeps his form up.
#1 Curtis Jones
What a moment for the local Liverpool lad Curtis Jones - the 18-year-old midfielder found some space just outside the Everton box and lashed an absolute screamer past the helpless Jordan Pickford. His sensational finish proved to be the only goal of this game, and it was enough to see his team advance to the next round of this competition.
Jones has been an ever-present force of nature in Liverpool's youth teams, and he showed the fans and his manager that he might be ready to at least regularly feature on the main team's bench. Even before the goal, English international was lively as he completed 3 key passes and made almost 90% of the passes which he attempted.
Jones' complete performance was a symbol of how good the Liverpool youth was tonight, and he should be a regular starter in the FA Cup, should his team advance to the latter stages of the competition.
Honourable mentions -
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Another youngster who had a good game, Calvert-Lewin will feel as if he should have made more of the opportunities he got in the first half of the game. One of his efforts was well saved by Adrian, and he came close once more with his three shots but failed to convert. Despite that, the English international put in a good shift and should continue to improve under Carlo Ancelotti.
Yerry Mina - The Everton centre-back had the most touches out of anyone else in his team tonight, and he was competent at the back for his team for the most part. The Colombian defender had six clearances and made two successful tackles, and despite his team's loss, he will be hoping to build on his performance moving forward.
