Everton vs Liverpool: Player ratings

Byshreyash_LFC, SportsCafe Editor

12/20/2016

Facing a "wild" Everton side at home in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool were stifled until they managed to find a goal in the fourth minute of injury-time through Sadio Mane. With the win, Liverpool stay within six points of leaders Chelsea. Here is how the players fared during the match:

Liverpool :

Simon Mignolet 7

Didn’t have much to do. Was rarely tested. Apart from one dodgy kick, the keeper did a fine job whenever called upon.

Nathaniel Clyne 6.5

Struggled to cope up with Everton’s pace earlier in the first half. Could have been better with the final touches in the opponent's half. Grew in as the game progressed.

Dejan Lovren 7.5

Won the important aerial battles against Lukaku. Showed great composure and didn’t rush into poor passes. Yellow card aside, was solid throughout the game.

Ragnar Klavan 8 (MOTM)

Made an important tackle early in the first half. Dealt well with Lukaku. Took his chance well and had a calming influence on the game.

James Milner 7

Enner Valencia’s pace caused him a few problems in the first half. That aside, Mr. Reliable put in his typical performance. Did well to create a chance for Firmino.

Jordan Henderson 7

Good captain performance on a derby day. Performed his no.6 role quite well. Assisted the defence to fill in spaces. Played better once McCarthy was off.

Gini Wijnaldum 7

Helped out the defence quite a few times. Made some fine one-touch passes to maintain Liverpool’s tempo in the second half. Could do better with his shooting though.

Adam Lallana 6

Underwhelming performance from the Englishman. Struggled to find spaces. Did his industrious work in the midfield but just wasn’t as influential as he has been this season.

Sadio Mane 7.5

Surely had an evening to remember. His pace was threatening as always. Got the all-important goal in the injury time after pouncing on the rebound.

Roberto Firmino 6.5

Had a frustrating first-half. Missed a great opportunity early in the second half. Could have killed the game but his shot was cleared off the line by Coleman.

Divock Origi 6

Couldn’t continue his fine scoring form. Had a chance to score in the first-half but blasted it over the net. Was anonymous in the second half before getting subbed.

Substitutions:

Lucas Leiva N/A

Substituted in the 98th minute. Didn’t have much to do.

Emre Can 6.5

Came on 82nd minute for Lallana. Made a crucial goal-saving tackle on Lukaku.

Sturridge 7

Showed why he is still an important member of the team. It was the rebound off his shot that allowed Mane to pounce in for the winner.

Everton :

M. Stekelenburg 7

Denied Firmino in the first half before forced off through injury on colliding with Baines.

S Coleman 8

Probably the best player for the blues. Produced a number of crosses and did really well to clear the ball off the line. However, it ultimately proved meaningless.

A Williams 7

A strong display from the Welshman. Handled Origi really well as dominated the Belgian aerially.

However, could have done better to stop Mane pouncing for the winner.

F Mori 7

Replaced the suspended Jagielka in the match. Was solid and composed with the ball. However, should have scored from the free header in the first half.

L Baines 6.5

Opted to sit back and defend. Didn’t offer much going forward. Did a fine job to hold Mane and Clyne before the injury-time winner.

I Gueye 7.5

Excellent display in the first half. Made crucial tackles and intercepts. However was responsible for giving space to Sturridge for a shot which proved to be the difference.

J McCarthy 7

Was the engine behind Everton’s aggressive start. Led the pressing and swift passing before limping off at halftime.

R Barkley 5

Was lucky to escape a red card after a nasty challenge on Henderson. Was poor throughout the games and didn’t offer any sort of creativity going forward.

E Valencia 7

Was energetic in the first half and caused Milner a few problems in the first half. However was silent in the second half before getting subbed off.

A Lennon 7

Contributed offensively and defensively both. Marked Clyne really well and didn’t give him any space to work.

R Lukaku 6.5

Was kept quiet during the whole match by Lovren and Klavan. Didn't get the ball much and struggled to test Mignolet.

Substitutions

J Robles 6.5

Made an outstanding save to deny Firmino from the corner but could have done better to prevent the late winner.

G Barry 6

Came on for McCarthy and didn’t seem to be in the game. Perhaps, couldn’t adjust to the pace of the game.

D Lewin 6