Liverpool vs Everton Player Ratings: Blues go down 2-1 after awful first half

Everton were left wishing they could emulate the spirit and onus shown in the second half for the entire contest after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Saturday.

On a bitter and rainy afternoon, the Blues were made to regret a slow start to the game as clinical strikes from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike saw Arne Slot’s side heading into the break with a two-goal advantage.

The second-half performance from David Moyes’s side was far better and Idrissa Gana Gueye scored just before the hour mark to bring the Blues back into the game. However, despite a few odd chances here and there, Everton failed to restore parity.

They weren’t helped by referee Darren England, who let a million fouls on Jack Grealish go unpunished and stopped Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner from taking quick free-kicks on two separate occasions in the second half.

Moyes was also guilty of making late changes and made his first substitution after halving the deficit with just four minutes left on the clock.

The expected goals (xG) battle reads 0.96 in favour of Everton, compared to the 0.95 managed by Liverpool over 90 minutes. The hosts scored twice from the only two great chances they created in the game, while Everton’s frustration in front of goal spilled over from their performance against Aston Villa.

Here are the player ratings from the first Merseyside derby of the season:

Jordan Pickford: 5

There wasn’t much to do about Gravenberch’s opener but Pickford will probably be disappointed by how the ball went between his legs for Ekitike’s goal. Everton also relied on him launching long balls to Beto for large periods of the first half, many of which weren’t accurate.

Jake O’Brien: 5

O’Brien’s defensive qualities stood out in this game as he kept both Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz quiet on his flank. Had little scope to venture forward and participate in the buildup. O’Brien was also an imposing presence in the opposition box from crosses and set-pieces and was closely followed by Milos Kerkez.

James Tarkowski: 7

Tarkowski had a gritty performance at the back and was required to make a couple of sliding tackles to thwart danger. An assured display in defence.

Michael Keane: 6

Much like Tarkowski, Keane also had a decent game and made clearances and interceptions when called upon. In the case of the goals scored by Liverpool, both Gravenberch and Ekitike exploited the space between Keane and Tarkowski with pace and elite movement and there was little either could do about it.

Vitalii Mykolenko: 4.5 (subbed off for Charly Alcaraz at 86’)

Brought into the starting lineup after missing the last few weeks due to injury, Mykolenko didn’t exactly look fit and ready. He had a torrid time facing Mohamed Salah in the first half and was guilty of not getting close to the Egyptian, allowing him to lob the ball for Gravenberch’s first goal.

Idrissa Gueye: 6

The veteran midfielder scored with a thunderous finish to bring Everton back into the game. Idrissa Gueye also had a great chance in the first half from a Dewsbury-Hall cutback but failed to connect properly with his left boot. He had an improved performance in the second 45.

James Garner: 7

James Garner was a towering presence in midfield once again, especially in the second half, and helped his side regain and keep possession on several occasions.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 5

The summer signing from Chelsea had a decent chance to score in the first half after being played in behind by Grealish but skied his shot. He had some positive moments here and there but was largely a passenger in his first Merseyside derby.

Iliman Ndiaye: 6 (subbed off for Tyler Dibling at 86’)

Despite trying his best, Iliman Ndiaye struggled to get going in the first half and was often isolated and overcrowded on the right flank. He had a better second-half performance and made the smart move to tee the ball off to Gueye for the Everton goal.

Jack Grealish: 7

Grealish was a constant threat for Everton down the left flank and was not helped by the referee allowing physicality on him going unpunished on several occasions. He fed a lovely ball to Dewsbury-Hall in the first and it was Grealish’s deep cross that led to Gueye scoring for Everton. His crosses were particularly threatening in the second half and required special attention from the Liverpool defenders.

Beto: 3 (subbed off for Thierno Barry at half-time)

The hoof it to Beto and hope approach rarely works and Moyes’s side were guilty of a passive approach for the first half hour. Beto was hardly involved in the game, and neither did he press the opposition centre-backs well nor win any of his duels against them when scrapping for the ball. Was subbed off at half-time.

Substitutions

Thierno Barry: 5

Had a better showing than Beto, which isn't saying much to be honest.

Charly Alcaraz: N/A

Tyler Dibling: N/A

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