Sack the board chants underline problems run deep at Everton as Liverpool’s derby rout will long be remembered

Everton boss Rafa Benitez and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesEverton boss Rafa Benitez and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Everton boss Rafa Benitez and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images | Getty Images
Liverpool cruised to a 4-1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby and there was a key talking point at the final whistle for each club.

It took just 21 minutes for the chant every away fan dreamed about thinking and home supporter dreaded before the 239th Merseyside derby ensued.

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"Rafa, Rafael Benitez" was bellowed from the Liverpool fans in the Lower Bullens stand at Goodison Park. It meant only one thing: their side were in complete control.

That was the case, with the visitors 2-0 up when the rendition broke out. It ended as a 4-1 routing, with the bragging rights firmly heading back across Stanley Park after their brief stay at Everton.

The inevitable

Let's be frank, hardly anyone gave Everton a chance heading into the clash. Even the most optimistic, glass-half-full Toffees knew the inevitable was waiting to happen. Forget the one Goodison defeat in the past eight meetings.

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Diogo Jota celebrates scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal against Everton. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesDiogo Jota celebrates scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal against Everton. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Diogo Jota celebrates scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal against Everton. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images | Getty Images

This was an encounter between two clubs whose geographical proximity is the only thing they currently have in common.

Liverpool are gulfs ahead and are bona fide Premier League challengers. As for Everton, their predicament has intensified. Growing numbers are fearing for the worst.

And having a former Kop manager, who guided them to arguably the greatest night in Anfield history - Istanbul in 2005 - made it even sweeter for Reds and more difficult for Evertonians to swallow.

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Benitez is etched in Liverpool folklore. However, on the other side of Stanley Park, his position is becoming increasingly precarious.

Deep problems

He might well be another chapter Evertonians want to forget about if things don't change swiftly.

The Blues' have now not won in eight matches, losing seven of them, and are lucky to sit as high as 14th in the table.

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For someone renowned for his tactical acumen, Benitez got it all wrong against his former club. Sticking with a two-man midfield was his downfall.

Liverpool monopolised possession and were consistently able to find the spare man in the engine room.

Most of the time, that was Jordan Henderson, who was magnificent. He opened the scoring with a brilliant strike and assisted Mo Salah's second.

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Fabian Delph came on in the closing stages to add another body in the middle of the park. It was a futile substitution. The game had been finished after Salah doubled his tally nine minutes earlier.

Allan had already been run ragged in what was another insipid display and Abdoulaye Doucoure struggled to contain the Reds.

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton looks dejected with teammates Allan and Ben Godfrey after the Liverpool fourth goal scored by Diogo Jota (Not pictured) 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)Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton looks dejected with teammates Allan and Ben Godfrey after the Liverpool fourth goal scored by Diogo Jota (Not pictured) 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)
Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton looks dejected with teammates Allan and Ben Godfrey after the Liverpool fourth goal scored by Diogo Jota (Not pictured) 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) | Getty Images

There have been plenty who’ve defended Benitez and his lack of support in the summer transfer window.

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For as poor as this latest performance was, there are still some mitigating circumstances and Everton fans know that.

They have been let down by years of profligacy, poor decisions and mismanagement and it’s why there wasn’t just ire at the Spaniard.

Anger was also aimed at Marcel Brands, director of football, and chairman Bill Kenwright from supporters who could be bothered to stay until the final whistle. Chants of "sack the board" rung out as the pair and chief executive, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, departed the directors’ box.

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Some fans called for Benitez to be given his marching orders immediately. Others pinned the blame on the hierarchy, with one vehemently questioning Brands' previous transfer decisions directly.

In truth, it underlined just how bad things are at Everton. There's not one person you can point the finger at.

There are just too many, with owner Farhad Moshiri also responsible despite investing hundreds of millions. The problems run deep.

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A doddle

But let's not take anything away from Liverpool's performance, either. It was their best victory on their rivals’ patch for almost 40 years.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their side's third goal 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 celebrates after scoring their side's third goal 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 celebrates after scoring their side's third goal 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) | Getty Images

Form often goes out of the window in derby games yet they stuck to their principles, didn’t get emotional and reaped the rewards.

Klopp's side have found it tricky at Goodison in previous meetings but tonight, it was a doddle.

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They plundered four goals for a third successive Premier League game and played some magnificent stuff.

Salah's double took him to 19 goals in as many appearances. Outstanding numbers.

Henderson led by example, grabbing the game by the scruff of the net and bossing the middle of the park.

It was a Merseyside derby that will be remembered for plenty of years to come for different reasons depending on your allegiance.

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