Everton 2 – 0 Liverpool – The Postmortem  | OneFootball

Everton 2 – 0 Liverpool – The Postmortem

This was a game that rubber stamped the need for a summer reset, as the disappearing reds succumbed to yet another horrible defeat. Jürgen Klopp will forever be a legend of Anfield; however, his regeneration must now be overseen by another, with the last Merseyside Derby in the tenure of the great German ending so very sadly.

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

The Starting Eleven

Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (c), Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz

Subs

Wataru Endō – Dominik Szoboszlai (62 mins), Jarell Quansah – Ibrahima Konaté (62 mins), Harvey Elliott – Curtis Jones – (62 mins), Joe Gomez – Trent Alexander Arnold (83 mins), Kostas Tsimikas – Andy Robertson (83 mins)

Goals

Everton 1 – 0 Liverpool – Jarrad Branthwaite – 27 mins

Everton 2 – 0 Liverpool – Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Dwight McNeil)- 58 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession – Everton 23% – 77% Liverpool

Total Shots – Everton 15 – 25 Liverpool

Crosses – Everton 13 – 43 Liverpool

Corner Kicks – Everton 4 – 13 Liverpool

Goalkeeper Saves – Everton 8 – 5 Liverpool

The First Half

The opening period of this game was frenetic and quickly showed that Everton were willing to fight for the valuable points on offer. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the uncontrollable striker that bullied and harassed a very poor Ibrahima Konaté, which continued throughout the game.

Photo: IMAGO

After a penalty award against Alisson Becker was overruled for an offside, the warning was not taken by the neighbours of Merseyside, as soon thereafter, Jarrad Branthwaite powered home a header which Liverpool failed to clear in the build-up. The chances for the away side were forthcoming, yet the final decision or pass was always lacking. Darwin Núñez had a brilliant chance to level the half, though once again his lack of composure was exposed.

The half ended with the score 1-0 and would not improve.

The Second Half

On resumption of the second half, no changes were made as the reds started brightly. The increased intensity was undone by the Toffees powerful centre forward, Calvert-Lewin, who scored a superb header at the far post from the well-executed corner. The likes of Darwin and Mohamed Salah failed to create or convert opportunities, as much of the team was harassed and outrun by a team determined to ruin the final Merseyside Derby of the departing Klopp.

Photo: IMAGO

Luis Díaz showed moments of desire, however, only his strike on the post was noteworthy through a horrible team performance. The continual crossing and predictable play were at times easy to defend, especially with Sean Dyche’s men having something to hold onto.

So many instances were marred by a lack of creativity or idea, which ended the title chances of the Anfield giants.

The game ended at 2-0 and no Liverpool fan will be pleased with the effort shown.

Final Thoughts

This was a game that was almost predictable, as the stuttering reds quickly descended into dismay. The final season of the reds illustrious German manager is being undone by poor form and a lack of effort, something that must be corrected by the next manager.

A trip to West Ham comes next, with character needed more than anything else.

Steven Smith