Everton 1-4 Liverpool: player ratings, heroes and villains as Reds are rampant in Merseyside derby

A Mo Salah double and a fine Jordan Henderson strike earned the Reds the bragging rights.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores their side's third goal whilst under pressure from Seamus Coleman of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores their side's third goal whilst under pressure from Seamus Coleman of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores their side's third goal whilst under pressure from Seamus Coleman of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Liverpool snatched back the bragging rights in the Merseyside derby as they thrashed Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

The away side made a bright start to the game and got their reward in the ninth minute.

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Andy Robertson’s cutback found Jordan Henderson on the edge of the box and he fired a curling left-foot finish beyond Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.

The Reds doubled their lead just 10 minutes later. Henderson was this time the provider, with his superbly-weighted ball setting free Mo Salah, who kept his composure to bag his 18th goal of the season.

It appeared it was going to be a long evening for Everton but they gave themselves a lifeline on 38 minutes. Richarlison worked hard to win possession and spot Demarai Gray in acres of space and he neatly finished through Alisson Becker’s legs.

Yet Jurgen Klopp’s men put the game beyond reach when Salah tucked home his second of the game in the 64th minute.

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And Diogo Jota put the gloss on the win 11 minutes from the end.

The heroes

- Mo Salah: if anyone needed a reminder why so many were flabbergasted when he finished just seventh in the 2021 Ballon d’Or then they were given one. The forward never looked like missing on each occasion when he raced through on goal. That’s now 19 goals in as many matches this season.

- Jordan Henderson: the Liverpool skipper grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. His crisp effort to break the deadlock was as fine a strike you will see all campaign. And Henderson’s through-ball to set Salah free for Liverpool’s second was as good a pass you will see all season. He was also a constant threat in the right half-space throughout, linking up with Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Jordan Henderson celebrates opening the scoring for Liverpool against Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesJordan Henderson celebrates opening the scoring for Liverpool against Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Jordan Henderson celebrates opening the scoring for Liverpool against Everton. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

- Demarai Gray: one of the few Everton players who had a decent go. It wasn’t just a goal which made him the hosts’ best player. In the first half, he asked questions of the Liverpool defence and put them on the back foot. One cross to the back post should have been dealt with much better by Andros Townsend.

The villains

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- Seamus Coleman: how the Everton captain will be hurting this evening and for the rest of the week. Coleman’s heavy touch on the halfway line allowed Salah to nip in and seal the victory for the visitors. Gray’s words of encouragement to Coleman were futile - he was devastated.

- Allan: the Everton midfielder has been off the pace for weeks now - and was badly exposed against a top-class outfit. He was slow to react throughout and, although the tackle for his yellow card was harsh, one was inevitable. Allan was then turned far too easily for Jota’s goal.

- Thiago Alcantara: the Spain international gave away several fouls in the first half and was lucky to escape a booking for so long. It was Thiago who was also out-battled by Richarlison, which led to Everton’s lifeline in the first half.

Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool is shown a yellow card by referee, Paul Tierney during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool is shown a yellow card by referee, Paul Tierney during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool is shown a yellow card by referee, Paul Tierney during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 01, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Player ratings

Everton (4-4-1-1): Pickford 5, Coleman 4, Keane 4, Godfrey 4, Digne 4, Townsend 5 (Delph 73; 5), Doucoure 4, Allan 3, Gray 7 (Tosun 85), Richarlison 5, Rondon 5 (Gordon 59; 6).

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Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 7, Matip 7, van Dijk 7, Robertson 7, Fabinho 7, Henderson (Oxlade-Chamberlain 84), Thiago 5 (Milner 75; 6), Salah 9, Jota 8 (Minamino 88), Mane 6.

What’s next for both teams?

Everton are back in action in five days’ time when they welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park on Monday, 6 December (20.00).

Liverpool, meanwhile, have a trip to Wolves on Saturday, 4 December (15.00).