Arguably the most fun I’ve had watching Liverpool all season, there. The absolute state of Everton Football Club. Appoint one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen, rock up at Anfield to play against Adam Lallana’s Nursery XI and STILL come away with a defeat.
They might be awful on the pitch, but their commitment to banter is up there with the best in the world.
Curtis Jones with the only goal of the game and what a strike it was. 1-0 to the Reds, ensuring that Everton’s wait for a trophy will stretch into at least 2021.
Here’s your ratings.
I love clean sheets
Adrian (9):Â Like Rocky, but more like the one where Rocky’s all old and is helping kids. Rocky 5, 6? You tell me. Either way, the Spaniard was brilliant. In the first half he produced a string of fine saves to keep the Blues out. Richarlison and Holgate, amongst others, were denied from point blank range as Adrian set the platform for Liverpool to take the game late on.
Neco Williams (7):Â His attacking work has impressed when we’ve seen him this season, however it was from a defensive standpoint that he shone. Used the ball maturely, dealt with one-on-one’s against Richarlison well and never panicked.
Nat Phillips (6):Â A clean sheet, somehow? Maybe the ropiest first half I’ve seen a Liverpool centre-back put in since, well… Jordan Henderson against Monterrey? Recovered well and grew in confidence in the second half after absolutely steaming into one of their lads on the touchline.
Joe Gomez (8):Â Led the defence absolutely magnificently in the absence of Van Dijk. Imperious on the ball, strong in the tackle and solid in the air. He loves clean sheets.
Yasser Larouci (7):Â Maybe the most left-footed player I’ve ever seen but that didn’t stop him from impressing. Proactive and tricky, unlucky with a couple of balls into the box.
Another Scouser in our team
Adam Lallana (7):Â The way he receives the ball gives me borderline anxiety, but yeah I’ve got to hand it to him he was really good. Got in their faces, drove us forward and was diligent defensively.
Curtis Jones (9):Â Could be an absolute superstar in the making. Always keen for the ball, he wants to impress and become a fixture in the best team in the world. He might just have the talent to do so, as evidenced by an absolutely beautiful winning goal. What a moment.
Pedro Chirivella (7):Â Some horrible passes combined with some stunning ones. I don’t know how old he is and I’m still not sure I’m spelling his name correctly, but he’ll probably leave Liverpool this month and he did enough to suggest that this isn’t the end of his story, but the start of it. Maybe in a slower league, Dutch teams should sniff around.
Minamino rusty on debut
Takumi Minamino (6): A little rusty having not played in a month. Showed glimpses of why we signed him with some cute dribbling, will be frustrated not to have headed an Origi cross in though.
Divock Origi (7):Â Impressed me in a similar way to Gomez in the way he handled himself. Didn’t try to do it all, rather making sure he did everything calmly, rubbing off on the younger lads around him. Held it up really well and he bags another goal contribution against Everton through assisting Jones.
Harvey Elliott (7):Â Had Digne on strings, didn’t he? Best full-back in the league my arse. Legged around by a lad who should still be celebrating passing GCSE French. Such a talent, looks ready to make a contribution to a proper adult football team at such a tender age.
