Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho was the star in Liverpool’s 3-1 derby win over Everton Saturday
On Saturday afternoon Everton fans suffered more Merseyside derby day miserably, as their team were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool at Anfield.
The defeat means that the Reds are now 14 games unbeaten against the Toffees in all competitions.
In truth, Liverpool did not have to be at their best to beat Everton. The Blues suffered their usual freeze against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It did not help that Toffees boss Ronald Koeman made a number of tactical errors before and during the game.
However, the key to the victory for Liverpool was the performance of Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho. There was just no comparison between the former Inter star and opposition playmaker Ross Barkley.
Coutinho back on form
Coutinho is an infuriating player to watch at times. He is highly inconsistent and has spent the last few months attempting to find form after an injury lay-off.
However, when he is on form he is a joy to watch, well for Liverpool anyway, not so joyful if your team is on the end of his magic. However, any neutral observers watching the derby will have appreciated the Brazilian’s key role in the win.
He scored the second goal and set-up the third. The Everton defending may have been non-existent, but his part in both efforts was majestic. When Coutinho is on this sort of form he is hard to stop and he seems to love the big games.
Coutinho is being heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona in the summer. If he goes then the Premier League will lose a player that can produce moments of magic. However, as an Evertonian, it will be good to see the back of the Brazilian!
Barkley was not in the same league
England playmaker Ross Barkley has been on a good run of form in 2017. Earlier in the season, his form was average and he was struggling to find any sort of form. The Ross Barkley of the first half of the season reappeared at Anfield.
He made poor decisions and could quite easily have been sent off for a lunge on Dejan Lovren after a poor touch when the Toffees had a chance to hit Liverpool on the counter-attack. His poor touch and tackle were signs of his frustration.
Barkley showed slightly more in the second half. However, he did not have the impact a player of his ability should have in these games. There have been question marks about why the 23-year-old has not been used by England in recent games.
This unconvincing performance illustrates why. Everton needed Barkley to show up and have a big influence on the game. He never and there will always be question marks over his ability to become a top player if he continues to struggle in big games.
People often consider Ross Barkley to be young. However, he is just a year younger than Coutinho, who had a massive effect on the game’s final outcome. The only thing Barkley left his mark on during the derby was Dejan Lovren’s leg.
Liverpool in a strong position
This game was a massive one for Liverpool in the race to secure a top-four finish this season. The victory moved the Reds six points clear of fifth-place Manchester United in that top four race. Jurgen Klopp’s side are now odds of 1/ 4 to finish in the Premier League’s top four this season.
The priority for the Reds this season was always going to be a return to Europe’s elite competition this season. Liverpool are moving forward under their eccentric German boss.
Everton meanwhile will now look to attempt to accrue as many points as they can. Seventh place in the Premier League should be enough to earn the Toffees a Europa League spot for next season.
No doubt Ronald Koeman will be busy in the summer strengthening his squad. However, whether the Toffees can bring to an end their Liverpool hoodoo in the near future remains to be seen. If they are to next season, though, the Dutchman and his players will need to be a lot shrewder in the two derby games next season.
Can Philippe Coutinho now find his form for the rest of the season?
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