Liverpool 2-0 Everton: Reds return to winning ways after Merseyside derby triumph

Liverpool recorded their first Premier League win in 2023 with a snug Merseyside derby victory over Everton at Anfield.

Everton had truly stored Liverpool at arm’s size earlier than they have been caught by a devastating counter-attack after 36 minutes, defender James Tarkowski’s header hitting the submit at one finish earlier than Darwin Nunez raced clear, squaring for Mohamed Salah to make the most of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s poor positioning with a easy end.

Liverpool snuffed out any hopes of an Everton restoration 4 minutes after the break.

And it was a particular second for £45m January signing Cody Gakpo, as he tapped in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross on the far submit for his first aim since arriving at Anfield from PSV Eindhoven.

Liverpool present indicators of life

It has been a depressing 2023 for Liverpool, encapsulated by heavy away defeats at Brentford, Brighton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, however the ease with which they have been ready to overcome Everton’s admittedly flimsy problem will elevate the spirits.

This was a superb night time for Liverpool as supervisor Jurgen Klopp was ready to embrace Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota on the bench after harm, the latter getting a rapturous reception when he was launched as a second-half substitute for his first motion since selecting up the muscle drawback that compelled him to miss the World Cup in Qatar.

Firmino additionally received a late outing.

Another massive plus was Gakpo’s aim, his first for Liverpool and an enormous morale-booster for a participant who has been quiet – though it will have been troublesome for any new acquisition to come into such a struggling aspect who’re ninth within the Premier League desk, 9 factors adrift of the Champions League locations.

Gakpo’s confidence visibly lifted after his aim, displaying assured touches and searching extra relaxed than at any time in his brief Liverpool profession.

Liverpool have been nowhere close to their finest – they didn’t have to be – however the sight of Salah on the scoresheet, objectives from trademark lightning counter-attacks and a clear sheet will change the temper round Anfield significantly earlier than an important go to to Newcastle United on Saturday night time.

Everton revert to sort

Everton began the Dyche period with a efficiency stuffed with ardour and aggressive edge to stun Arsenal, however this was a reminder of why they face a critical relegation battle, and proof that the show in opposition to the Gunners was very a lot the exception on this season of wrestle.

None of the issues Dyche expects from his groups was on present right here. They have been passive, gradual and careless in possession – their main flaw as soon as once more uncovered as they barely mounted a risk aside from Tarkowski’s header that truly resulted in Liverpool breaking the impasse.

The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, injured as soon as extra after figuring for an hour in opposition to Arsenal, underscores the folly in not signing a alternative for Richarlison, an error in the summertime compounded by the failure to appropriate it in January.

Much rests on the unreliable health of Calvert-Lewin, with Dyche having to depend on 22-year-old Ellis Simms, making solely his second Premier League begin. The teen, understandably, struggled on his personal up entrance with no service.

Everton now have an important residence sport at residence to managerless fellow strugglers Leeds United on Saturday and Dyche will need extra of what they confirmed in opposition to Arsenal and fewer of what they produced at Anfield.

Player of the match

BajceticStefan Bajcetic

Everton

1. Squad quantity26Player identifyDavies

2. Squad quantity17Player identifyIwobi

3. Squad quantity19Player identifyMykolenko

4. Squad quantity30Player identifyCoady

5. Squad quantity2Player identifyTarkowski

6. Squad quantity23Player identifyColeman

7. Squad quantity50Player identifySimms

8. Squad quantity7Player identifyMcNeil

9. Squad quantity8Player identifyOnana

10. Squad quantity16Player identifyDoucouré

11. Squad quantity11Player identifyGray

12. Squad quantity27Player identifyGueye

13. Squad quantity1Player identifyPickford

14. Squad quantity20Player identifyMaupay

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