Liverpool player ratings: Mo Salah among five to get just 5/10 in Everton draw

Liverpool had to settle for a point in the 241st Merseyside derby as they were held to a goalless draw against Everton at Goodison Park.

The Reds created several goalscoring chances, especially in the second half, but could not find a way through.

Both sides struck the woodwork in the first half.

Everton went close to breaking the deadlock when Liverpool failed to clear their lines but Tom Davies’ effort crashed against the post in the 32 minute.

And two minutes before half-time, it was the Reds who then went agonisingly close.

Darwin Nunez’ clever effort was tipped onto the bar spectacularly by Jordan Pickford before Luis Diaz’ crashing effort then hit the inside of the post.

The game burst into life after the intveral, with Everton keeper Pickford making three quickfire saves before his Liverpool counterpart Alisson Becker repelled Neal Maupay.

Then in the 69th minute, Goodison Park erupted when Conor Coady prodded home from close range - but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

And neither side could find a winner, with Mo Salah striking the post in the dying embers.

Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players.

Alisson Becker - 7

Called into action once in the first half when keeping out Anthony Gordon’s well-struck shot. Then made a decent stop from Maupay in the second period.

Trent Alexander-Arnold*** - 5

Sluggish in the first half but made one crucial interception to thwart a dangerous Everton attack. However, carried little attacking threat and was subbed in the 59th minute.

Joe Gomez - 6

Solid enough in the first half and won plenty of duels but his poor touch from a cross almost gave Everton the lead. Made a few decent clearances in the second half.

Virgil van Dijk - 5.5

Looked plenty composed in the opening 45 minutes and his long ball for Nunez almost engineered the opening goal. Booked in the second half for a late foul on Gray.

Kostas Tsimikas** - 6

Took some time to get going in the first half but grew into the game. Spurned a big chance at the back post in the second half, though, when he blazed over the bar at the back post. Subbed in the 59th minute.

Fabinho - 6

Probably Liverpool’s most involved midfielder. Played some neat play and broke up several attacks.

Fabio Carvalho* - 5

Had little chance to show off his ability in the opening 45 minutes. No surprise he was subbed at half-time.

Harvey Elliott**** - 6

Tried to get things going in the first half but was often confined to tight spaces. Dropped into a holding-midfield role after the interval. Subbed in the 80th minute.

Mo Salah - 5

Had scant chance to put Everton on the back foot in the first half. One cross for a Nunez header was about as it got. Very quiet in the second half before he had the chance to win it in stoppage-time - but was denied by a fingertip save from Pickford.

Darwin Nunez***** - 5

Understandably took his time to get into things after missing three games. Headed two over the bar before a superb effort forced an equally superb save from Pickford. Should have done better with a first-time effort after the break and largely ineffective.

Luis Diaz - 5

Went agonisingly close to giving Liverpool the lead when he smashed the post in the first half. Not as effective after the break.

Subs

*Roberto Firmino - 6

Pepped up Liverpool’s attack but failed to bury three good chances.

**Andy Robertson - 6

Added more thurst down the left flank.

*** James Milner - 6

Gave experience when pinned back for much of the second half as a right-back.

***Joel Matip - 6

Helped see out a draw

****** Diogo Jota - 6

Lively on his first game but missed two big chances.