Everton 2-2 Liverpool: Player ratings from a Merseyside derby that had almost everything

Everton and Liverpool welcomed the Premier League back after the international break with a thrilling 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

Sadio Mane gave Liverpool an early lead but Michael Keane equalised shortly after. Mohamed Salah restored the visitors’ advantage but once again they were pegged back, this time by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Richarlison was then sent off and Jordan Henderson thought he had won it late on, only for the goal to be disallowed by the tiniest of margins.

Here’s how the players rated at Goodison Park:

Everton

Jordan Pickford – 7 – Was lucky not to be sent off for a dangerous challenge on Van Dijk inside five minutes, being saved by the offside flag. Whether he should have been saved is another question, with the VAR apparently not checking for the red card, but Pickford recovered to make a couple of brilliant saves including one on Matip. Saved by offside yet again in injury time.

Clarification on Pickford/Van Dijk…. we all get one wrong now and then.

Pickford could have been sent off (probably should have been).

Had it confirmed that the VAR, David Coote, did NOT check for a red card. Appears he was too concerned with the offside. #EVELIV

— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) October 17, 2020

Seamus Coleman – 4 – Given a torrid time by Robertson on Everton’s left, being beaten far too easily for Mane’s goal. Came off after 31 minutes with a hamstring injury.

Yerry Mina – 6 – In the first half, Mina was a Goliath in defence, perfectly dealing with pretty much everything that was thrown into the Everton box. He continued that performance after half-time but let himself down with a shocking attempted clearance to assist Salah’s goal.

Michael Keane – 7 – A strong performance from the Englishman who defended well and equalised for Everton in the first half with a powerful header.

Lucas Digne – 8 – In the first half the Frenchman had to be on his game defensively, and he was practically unbeatable. He then put in a lovely cross for Calvert-Lewin’s header in the second half, capping off a wonderful performance. well defensively. Lovely cross for Calvert-Lewin

Andre Gomes – 7 – The game got away from Gomes in the first half, as he was a victim of overplaying at times. But he calmed down after the break and was much improved, helping Everton regain some control.

Allan – 7 – If you were just listening to this game, you wouldn’t have heard Allan’s name said very often. But the Brazilian international was very good, the key member of Everton’s three-man defence.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6 – Doucoure is a very good midfielder but he didn’t have the best games against Liverpool. He allowed Mane to run off him for Liverpool’s early goal and despite improving later in the game, there wasn’t anything spectacular.

James Rodriguez – 8 – Put in a lovely corner for Keane’s equaliser, but his influence from open play was slightly missing in the first half. Grew after half-time and and created a chance for Richarlison with a lovely cross. Then tested Adrian with a nice curling shot and completely dominated the game for Everton. Wonderful.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7 – Often outnumbered in attack, the Englishman grew into the game and particularly enjoyed his time up against Gomez. Missed a chance (and the ball) early in second half but scored the all-important equaliser, beating Robertson with a monstrous header. The man on form.

Richarlison – 5 – Did very well defensively but did not test Liverpool enough in attack. Went close just before an hour mark but he could only direct his header onto the post from a right angle. Sent off for a horror challenge that could have cost his side the game.

Substitutes:

Ben Godfrey (for Coleman 31) – 6 – Had a positive start after replacing Coleman and produced a lovely block on Thiago’s shot just before half-time. Looked confident throughout the game.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (for Gomes 72) – 5 – Didn’t really add to much to the game after coming on.

Alex Iwobi (for Doucoure 78) – 5 – Asked some questions of Liverpool’s defence late on, without truly testing them.

Liverpool

Adrian – 6 – Questions were once again raised about the goalkeeper early on. Potentially could have held Calvert-Lewin’s shot, and then wasn’t strong enough to keep Keane’s header out from the resulting corner. But apart from that he didn’t have a bad game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5 – A nutmeg on Gomes in the build-up to Mane’s goal aside, it was another subpar performance from the English right-back. Not bad, just not great.

Joel Matip – 7 – The better of the two Liverpool defenders, Matip helped his side keep their shape and most of their composure when Van Dijk went off injured.

Virgil van Dijk – N/A – Game ended within five minutes after Pickford’s challenge.

Andrew Robertson – 8 – Very dangerous on the left, particularly giving Coleman a tough 30 minutes. His assist for Mane wasn’t the most eye-catching, coming through his determination, but it was nonetheless important. Not strong enough to stop Calvert-Lewin from equalising in the second-half but it was a good performance.

Fabinho – 8 – A great midfield performance throughout that was slightly dampened by his lack of attempt to challenge Keane for the centre-backs goal.

Thiago – 8 – Liverpool made a wonderful signing bringing Thiago to the club. On his full Premier League debut, the Spanish international was excellent, keeping Liverpool ticking with the simplest of passes and defence-splitting balls. Sees things no one else can.

Jordan Henderson – 9 – The Liverpool captain was everywhere and this is the type of performance that people should be watching if they doubt Henderson’s ability. If Liverpool needed him to defend, he was there. If they needed him to play centrally he was there. If they needed cover on the wing, he was here. Put a lovely cross into the box in the build up to Salah’s goal and thought he had won the game in injury-time, only to be denied by the finest (and we mean finest) of offside calls.

Sadio Mane – 8 – Ran things for Liverpool in attack, opening the scoring with a tidy finish and was a constant threat for Klopp’s side.

Roberto Firmino – 6 – His usually useful self in the deeper role, linking up play. But more is to be expected from the Brazilian, who went yet another game without a shot.

Mohamed Salah – 7 – The quieter of the attackers but still dangerous and that showed as he gave Liverpool the lead in the second half with a wonderful finish. Brought up his 100th goal for Liverpool in all competitions, in his 159th game. The third-fastest player to reach this milestone in the club’s history.

Games needed to score 100 goals across all competitions for Liverpool:

🔴 Roger Hunt (144)
🔴 Jack Parkinson (153)
🔴 Mohamed Salah (159)

He's done it faster than Michael Owen, Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush. 😱 pic.twitter.com/ab0KBExKkL

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 17, 2020

Substitutes:

Joe Gomez (for Van Dijk 11) – 6 – Slow start but improved as the game went on and built a semi-solid partnership alongside Matip.

Diogo Jota (for Firmino 78) – 5 – Didn’t really have much affect after coming on.

Georginio Wijnaldum (for Fabinho 90) – N/A – A late sub.