Full Time: Everton 0-0 Liverpool
The Merseyside derby on Saturday turned out to be an uneventful goalless draw, as Everton failed to capitalise on their chances against a weakened Liverpool side.
With a Champions League quarter-final second leg tie at Manchester City coming up and injuries piling up lately, Jurgen Klopp decided to field a relatively weakened side at Everton.
Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings started for the Reds and looked lively but caused very little trouble to the Everton defenders. Despite dominating possession for much of the game, Liverpool failed to create clear-cut opportunities.
Everton, on the other hand, burst into life late in the game and in spite of a late rally; they failed to end their seven-and-a-half-year wait for a Merseyside derby win.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Loris Karius – 6/10
Karius produced a wonderful save to deny Yannick Bolasie in the first-half. Barring that, he had very little to do and was solid.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10
He started for the first time this season and that was clearly evident as he looked rusty. However, he settled down in the second-half.
Virgil Van Dijk – 8/10
Van Dijk was a dominant force in the Liverpool backline and kept Cenk Tosun at bay. He was arguably our best player.
Dejan Lovren – 6/10
Lovren was sloppy in possession on a number of occasions. He was lucky to escape a booking in the first half.
Ragnar Klavan – 7/10
Klavan started at left-back and it appeared as if he was going to have a long afternoon against Theo Walcott. However, to everyone’s surprise, the Estonian performed admirably well at left-back.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
Wijnaldum started as Liverpool’s deepest midfielder and dictated the play well with his passing and crossing.
James Milner – 7/10
Milner was immense in the middle of the park for the Reds. The veteran used his experience to good effect, was diligent as always and tested Jordan Pickford. A lively show from the versatile player.
Jordan Henderson – 6/10
Henderson started in an advanced role and impacted the game very well. Whenever he received the ball, he always looked to drive his team forward. A positive display.
Sadio Mane – 7/10
Mane was always a threat to the Everton defence with his pace and trickery. He did well before being substituted.
Dominic Solanke – 6/10
Solanke showed his inexperience on a number of occasions and should have done better when he struck a loose ball at Pickford.
Danny Ings – 6/10
Ings worked tirelessly all afternoon. The forward kept the Everton defenders on their toes with his direct running. Klopp will definitely be pleased with Ings’ performance.
Substitutes
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5/10
Chamberlain was industrious. Tried hard to create things but to no avail.
Roberto Firmino – 5/10
He came on in the 75th minute but failed to impact the game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – N/A
Came on in the 89th minute to replace Danny Ings.
