Liverpool drew 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park, after a dramatic final few minutes, which saw Jordan Henderson’s would-be winner cancelled out by VAR for offside.
Sadio Mane gave the Reds an early lead, which was soon pegged back by Michael Keane. Mo Salah put the Reds back in front in the second half, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin brought Everton back level for a second time.
Mané set up Henderson for what would have been the winner, but Liverpool were denied by an offside call made by VAR, which will be best left to be explained by those that made that call.
Here’s how each player fared for the Reds.
Goalkeeper
Adrian San Miguel – 5/10
Should have done better to keep out Keane’s header for the first goal. At least he didn’t take any chances with the ball at his feet.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 4/10
He still doesn’t look quite right. He was awful in defending the build-up to the second Everton goal, as he didn’t even make an effort to close Digne down.
Joel Matip – 7/10
In his first Premier League appearance for fourth months, Matip was outstanding. He defended really well against Calvert-Lewin. The rustiness showed in some of his passing though.
Virgil van Dijk – 6/10
He went off the field within the first ten minutes, as he was the victim of an awful tackle from Jordan Pickford, which inexplicably went unpunished.
Andy Robertson – 6/10
Another assist for Robertson, who set up Mane brilliantly for the first goal. He was a constant source of problems for Everton down their right flank.
Midfield
Fabinho – 7/10
As the midfield anchor, Fabinho was outstanding. He won tackles well, his passing was good enough, and he was there to see out trouble.
Jordan Henderson – 8/10
The skipper led from the front, and was atrociously unlucky to not have a derby winner to his name. Henderson’s energy and drive down the right channel made the Reds look a lot better than they did against Villa.
Thiago Alcantara – 7/10
He is simply a magician on the ball. That pass to Mane in the build-up to the disallowed goal is what he brings to this team. That unpredictable passing from midfield, with his ability to break lines, is going to be a massive asset through the course of the season.
Forwards
Mohamed Salah – 7/10
Salah was terrific for the duration of the game. His creative abilities have shone through this season, with his passing into Firmino and Mane. That finish for the goal was one of a player at the peak of his powers as well.
Sadio Mané – 6/10
In his first game back after recovering from COVID-19, Mané scored really early to set the Reds on their way. He also set up Henderson at the end, but will be wondering which part of his body was actually in an offside position.
Roberto Firmino – 5/10
Much better than against Villa, but still needs to get into better positions. His play in possession was a lot better than in recent games, but Liverpool need way more than this from him.
Substitutes
Joe Gomez – 5/10
Was caught under the ball for the second goal, didn’t organise the defence well enough for the first, his torrid time continues.
Diogo Jota – 5/10
His big contribution was tackling Mane when both of them went for the same ball.
Gini Wijnaldum – N/A
He came on with barely any minutes left to play in the game.
Everyone sees the game differently and I gladly except that. Just wondering how you gave Robertson a 7 and he wasted several crossing opportunities as well as was at fault for their 2nd equalizer. He was not goal side as ANY player on the field knows you should be while defending YES ANY!!!! Especially the CAPTAIN OF A COUNTRY!!!!!
Yet Mane’ and Thiago who were quite brilliant in my humble opinion get a 6 and 7?????? Henderson getting an 8 isn’t laughable but that he rates higher than those two definitely is!!!! Come on man SERIOUSLY??????