Everton 2-0 Liverpool: Player ratings as Toffees end 13-year Goodison Park wait to dent Reds title hopes
Before tonight, Jurgen Klopp was unbeaten at Goodison Park, but his final Merseyside Derby would end in a 2-0 loss.
The result had seismic implications at both ends of the Premier League table. With four matches remaining, Liverpool is now three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Everton has taken a big step towards staving off relegation in a season that has already seen them demoted many points.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored either side of half-time to record Everton’s first home win over Liverpool since October 2010.
As the dust begins to settle, here is how the players rated at Goodison Park:
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Everton
Jordan Pickford – 8 – England’s number one produced another powerful showing. He made five saves, including one that came straight from Nunez.
Vitalii Mykolenko – 5 – Picked up a severe ankle injury that ended his game before the stroke of half-time.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 9 – The youngster found himself in the right place to give Everton a deserved lead, which complimented another solid defensive showing.
James Tarkowski – 8.5 – No one epitomises the grit associated with Sean Dyche’s football better than Tarkowski, who served him well at Burnley before reuniting here. This was another tenacious performance.
Ben Godfrey – 7 – Had the unenviable task of keeping tabs on Luis Diaz, who has been flying. Godfrey gave a good account of himself and made some critical interventions.
Dwight McNeil – 7.5 – Stepped up on the Everton flank, creating five goal-scoring opportunities, including another Premier League assist.
James Garner – 7 – A selfless performance in the heart of Everton’s midfield. Garner quietly went about his business covering for those in front of him.
Idrissa Gueye – 7.5 – You know what you’re getting from the Senegalese defensive midfielder who regularly won possession as Liverpool regularly dominated proceedings.
Jack Harrison – 7 – Another who has stepped up for Everton during another difficult campaign, the former Leeds winger attempted five take-ons, winning four.
Abdoulaye Doucouré – 7.5 – Playing in a deep-lying forward role, the languid Doucouré looked to bring the ball forward as much as possible, and when he did, chaos often followed.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 9 – He worked hard as Everton’s lone centre-forward, winning half his 14 duels before powering home a header from McNeil’s corner. He kept Liverpool’s central defensive pairing busy.
Substitutes:
Ashley Young (for Mykolenko 46) – 5.5 – Perhaps this would have been an off day. Still, the former England international came on and wasn’t troubled by a Liverpool team chasing Premier League honours.
Amadou Onana (for Gueye 75) – 5 – Continued where Gueye left off in Everton’s midfield.
Youssef Chermiti (for Calvert-Lewin 90+4) – N/A – A late sub.
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Liverpool
Alisson – 5 – He could have done nothing for Calvert-Lewin’s goal, but he would have been frustrated not to have kept a clean sheet.
Andy Robertson – 4.5 – Had no issue marauding down the left flank but couldn’t find that killer ball, which often comes easily for him.
Virgil van Dijk – 5 – The first to enter Andy Madley’s book after showcasing dissent, a rare moment lacking composure from the oft-cool Dutchman.
Ibrahima Konaté – 4 – This was a below-par showing from a usually reliable defensive presence. He couldn’t deal with Calvert-Lewin, which permanently ended his game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 4 – Saw ample time on the ball, though his lackadaisical defending from an Everton corner would make headlines.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5.5 – The numbers suggest it was another typical Mac Allister performance, but he, more than anyone, would be disappointed with this result.
Dominik Szoboszlai -4 – He couldn’t get into this game with one throwaway effort from a distance, the highlight before going off after the hour mark.
Curtis Jones – 4 – An interesting selection that didn’t pay off for Klopp, as Jones seemed off pace.
Luis Díaz – 4.5 – Unlucky not to score with a second-half effort crashing off the post. He wasn’t his usual buzzing self.
Darwin Núñez – 4 – In recent weeks, the perception of Nunez has changed, but tonight, he reverted to a more frustrating version. Guilty of poor ball control and finishing.
Mohamed Salah – 4.5 – It was a less-than-stellar outing for the Egyptian forward, who enjoyed previous Goodison Park visits.
Substitutes:
Harvey Elliott (for Jones 63) – 4 – To his credit, he brought much-needed energy, but it was too late.
Jarell Quansah (for Konaté 63) – 4 – A like-for-like replacement, but the damage was already done as Everton cooled off in attack.
Wataru Endo (for Szoboszlai 63) – 4 – It was surprising to see him start on the bench; his presence was sorely missed in a disjointed opening half.
Kostas Tsimikas (for Robertson 84) – N/A – A late sub.
Alexander-Arnold (for Alexander-Arnold 84) – N/A – A late sub.
