Following Liverpool’s derby day stalemate against Roberto Martinez’s Blues, we rate the Reds performances on a scrappy afternoon at Goodison Park.
Everton 1-1 Liverpool
Goodison Park, Sunday 4th October 2015
Simon Mignolet (out of 10) – 7.5
Liverpool have the Belgian to thank for returning to Anfield with a point after an impressive shot-stopping performance from Mignolet.
The 27-year-old made two excellent saves in the first half and another from Romelu Lukaku in the scrappy second period, and though one moment of hesitancy with a high ball in the box, he was composed and decisive throughout. The Reds’ Man-of-the-Match.
For all his flapping at crosses and Charles Hawtrey-esque punches, Simon Mignolet remains an excellent shot-stopper.
— David Prentice (@prenno) October 4, 2015
Emre Can – 5.5
The German produced a decent overall performance in the back three, but was ultimately at fault for the poor Everton equaliser.
It was from his sloppy clearance that Lukaku was afforded a free shot at goal which he took advantage of, but on the whole, the natural midfielder was calm, intelligent on the ball and defended well – despite picking up a silly booking.
fifth goal this season (all competitions) that Liverpool have conceded when a Liverpool player sets up the opposition goalscorer.
— nate (@natefc) October 4, 2015
Martin Skrtel – 6.5
Skrtel has been in uninspiring form so far this season, but he turned in a better display at the heart of the Reds defence.
The Slovakian competed well with Lukaku who was a handful all afternoon, and he was better in possession, keeping things simple to avoid any nervy moments, but should have done better with a back-post header first half.
Mamadou Sakho – 6.5
It was business as usual from the imposing Frenchman, who produced another solid display on the left side of the back three.
His distribution was typically reliable all afternoon, and he dealt well with the majority that came down his side, standing up to the challenge strongly late on as Everton pushed for a last gasp winner.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6.5
The summer arrival has struggled since his switch to a right wing-back role, but Clyne enjoyed a better afternoon in the unnatural position.
He provided good defensive support for Can behind and carried a greater attacking threat than he has in previous outings, though his productivity does need to improve.
Lucas Leiva – 6.5
It was a derby that suited the Brazilian’s battling style, and it showed as he produced a whole-hearted display in the middle of the park.
The 29-year-old was a strong presence in the middle, and alongside competing as well as ever, he provided a composed figure in his holding role and used the ball well for the most part.
Was fortunate to not have seen a second yellow card late on however, which prompted Rodgers to replace him with Joe Allen.
James Milner – 5.5
As is becoming all too familiar from Liverpool’s stand-in skipper, it was an afternoon that saw plenty of work but little quality – a good corner for Ings’ opener aside.
Milner produced some real positive running from midfield early on, but that soon descended into little more than a workman-like display, which saw very little quality of any note produced from the 29-year-old.
Everton 1-1 Liverpool — Fans’ Reactions
Alberto Moreno – 6
Moreno continued his good form at left wing-back with another industrious display at a sunny Goodison Park, but played a frustrating part in the Blues equaliser.
His hesitancy in shutting Gerard Deulofeu down allowed his fellow Spaniard to cross a dangerous ball in that Lukaku ultimately smashed home, but aside from that costly lapse, the Spaniard was hard-working and provided good support both defensively and offensively.
It was an afternoon of real disappointment for the Brazilian, who turned in his poorest and most ineffective performance of the season.
The 23-year-old was on the fringes of the action throughout, and except for one shot that Howard palmed away, contributed very little of note on a day he was needed to help make the difference.
Danny Ings – 7
The 22-year-old enjoyed a good first derby display, notching his first goal with a sharp header and producing a tidy overall performance.
As willing as ever, Ings’ touch, movement and work rate was good throughout and it was disappointing to lose him to injury in the second period.
Continues to look a shrewd signing as he quickly become a fans favourite.
Daniel Sturridge – 5
Sturridge was preserved in anticipation for the clash, but the striker looked like he had not been the beneficiary of a weeks’ rest, failing to contribute to his teams’ performance.
Much like Coutinho, the 25-year-old was needed to step up to the plate at Goodison Park, but also like the Brazilian, he struggled to impose himself on the game, gave the ball away far too often, and also contributed very little to defensive work.
If last week was Daniel Sturridge 13/14, this has been very much last year's vintage. Touch, turn, trick, lose possession, repeat to fade.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) October 4, 2015
Substitutes
Adam Lallana (on for Ings 75th) – N/A
Ings’ replacement worked hard for the small duration he was on, but had little time to make any real impact on the game.
Joe Allen (on for Lucas 79th) – N/A
Sat in for Lucas with the Brazilian walking a tightrope and was tidy in possession as always.
Brendan Rodgers – 5
The Northern Irishman will be relieved to have avoided defeat at Goodison Park on an afternoon that a loss would surely have seen his time in the Anfield hot-seat come to an end.
He watched his side produce a good opening 45 minutes in which they should have held the lead, but the second half saw a disjointed performance ensue, that Rodgers did little tactically to improve, though the substitute bench was wholly uninspiring which is another issue altogether.
Remains to be seen whether the derby draw is enough to buy some time with speculation over his Anfield future increasing by the day.
Brendan Rodgers’ #LFC away record vs top 4 and Everton:
Played: 18
Won: 1
Drawn: 9
Lost: 8
Goal difference: – 12— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) October 4, 2015
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