For the first time since 1999, Everton have beaten Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield. The Toffees earned a potentially season-changing victory on Saturday, scoring very early and very late to beat the reeling Reds, 2-0. Richarlison scored the winning goal just three minutes in with a nifty finish before Gylfi Sigurdsson’s late penalty kick put the result away with just under 10 minutes to go.
Everton were the sharper side despite not seeing much of the ball. They defended in numbers but got the best of a wounded Liverpool who improved as the game went on but could not find the breakthrough, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making a huge save at 1-0 on Mohamed Salah.
The victory brings Everton level on points with Liverpool at 40, as both teams finish the day just three points back of the top four.
Liverpool
GK – Alisson Couldn’t do much on the first, but he had a terrific stop on Seamus Coleman late in the first half. Not as shaky as his recent performances.
Rating: 5
DEF – Trent Alexander-Arnold Improved down the flank as the match went on, providing some dangerous crosses. Conceded a late penalty kick that was surely to be a goal, and he was lucky not to see red.
Rating: 3
DEF – Ozan Kabak A decent defensive effort, but his positioning on the Richarlison goal was quite poor. He was caught watching the ball and lost the Brazilian.
Rating: 4
DEF – Jordan Henderson Nearly scored a stunning goal in the first half, but he really didn’t do enough on the winner. Came off with an injury after 30 minutes.
Rating: 4
DEF – Andy Robertson The strongest defender with 10 recoveries, and he created as many chances as Thiago … which says more about the latter. Never really got going when in the attacking third.
Rating: 5
MID – Thiago Precise passing later on in the match as Liverpool improved, but he was far from dangerous. He struggled to deal with the compact defense of Everton.
Rating: 4
MID – Georginio Wijnaldum Help keep the ball moving and rarely made a mistake on the ball, but it was those that he connected to that didn’t step up. Did what he needed to do but would have liked another chance in attack.
Rating: 5
MID – Curtis Jones Lasted just over an hour. Had a couple decent balls in but not an overtly confident performance.
Rating: 4
FWD – Mohamed Salah Missed a point-blank chance late as he was denied by Pickford, and that was the only look he got on goal. Had just one shot, struggled when pressed and offered very little as a passer.
Rating: 4
FWD – Roberto Firmino Faded as the match went on. He had more shots than any other Liverpool player, but he wasn’t the created force he usually is. A game he’ll want to soon forget.
Rating: 4
FWD – Sadio Mane Had a couple decent looks, and he got himself into good spots. He was also quick and smart on the ball down the left and created a bit of danger. Still, never got his golden chance.
Rating: 5
SUB – Xherdan Shaqiri (Curtis Jones, 63rd minute) Came off the bench and probably should have had an assist to Salah with a nice little ball.
Rating: 4
SUB – Nathaniel Phillips (Jordan Henderson, 30th minute) Decent shift in defense, but Liverpool were controlling the ball at that point and didn’t have to worry about all too much.
Rating: 5
SUB – Divock Origi (Thiago, 87th minute) Late but that couldn’t make an impact.
Rating: N/A
MANAGER – Jurgen Klopp At this point, you can hardly blame him. The injury issue in defense is just ridiculous. The attack has been inconsistent, and Thiago still hasn’t fit in as expected. It is going to take time to turn this around, but it looks like they are certainly out of the title race, while their top-four chances don’t look all that good either.
Rating: 4
Everton
GK – Jordan Pickford Made several flying saves when Liverpool looked to be in the ascendency to preserve Everton’s lead. A reminder of what England’s number one can do when he’s on top of his game.
Rating: 7
DEF – Seamus Coleman As much a midfielder as a defender. Kept his opposite fullback, Robertson in check all day and had a great chance with a point blank header as well. Epitomized everything good about Everton’s gritty performance.
Rating: 8
DEF – Mason Holgate Worked well with Coleman to keep Everton’s right side tight, forced Liverpool to focus on the opposite flank where they had more joy. Massive clearance from a dangerous Alexander-Arnold cross.
Rating: 7
DEF – Michael Keane Anchored the defense all day long. Never left exposed in space, which is when he can struggle. Led the team with a massive 12 clearances.
Rating: 7
DEF – Ben Godfrey The back line’s weakest link. Liverpool looked likeliest to get back in the match exploiting the spaces between him and Digne, but ultimately did just enough.
Rating: 6
DEF – Lucas Digne Created a great chance for Seamus Coleman in the first half, but struggled to keep Liverpool at bay in the second half, as Alexander-Arnold increasingly got free in the box.
Rating: 6
MID – Tom Davies Part of an outclassed midfield that just barely hung on after the early goal. But he acquitted himself well enough with six recoveries, frequently retreating into Everton’s box to maintain bodies between Liverpool and goal.
Rating: 6
MID – Abdoulaye Doucoure Did well enough mucking up midfield to keep Liverpool at bay in the first half, but faded as the match went on while offering nothing going forward. Everton’s weakest link.
Rating: 4
MID – Andre Gomes Played a thankless role on the left side of midfield, but mostly kept Liverpool’s right flank quiet in the first half. Substituted in the second as Liverpool started to break forward through Alexander-Arnold
Rating: 5
FWD – James Rodriguez Assisted on the first goal and was Everton’s only creative player all day.. The game plan called for his side to have very little of the ball, but he played the perfect ball to seize the moment he got.
Rating: 7
FWD – Richarlison Worked alone up top for most of the game and scored the one major chance that came his way. Only had the one shot, but it was all Everton needed, and he worked for the next 80 minutes. Then set Calvert-Lewin free to draw the 80th minute penalty
Rating: 8
SUB – Gylfi Sigurdsson (Gomes 59th minute) Struggled defensively on the left but converted the game winning penalty. What else can you ask for?
Rating: 6
SUB – Dominic Calvert-Lewin (James 61st minute) Was his usual attacking stalwart self in a substitute role. Held the ball up well and made the run to win the penalty that sealed the match.
Rating: 7
SUB – Alex Iwobi (Richarlison 86th minute) Mostly for time wasting purposes, ran around a lot.
Rating: N/A
MANAGER – Carlo Ancelotti
Got it exactly right. Played a slightly unconventional lineup with Coleman ahead of Holgate and then his late substitute of Calvert-Lewin for Rodriguez led directly to the penalty.
Rating: 8
