Liverpool 2-0 Everton: What Were The Key Talking Points As Jurgen Klopp’s Side Claim Merseyside Bragging Rights?

With all eyes falling on Anfield on Monday night, Liverpool claimed Merseyside bragging rights after securing a routine 2-0 victory against local rivals Everton.

While the former Premier League champions might have shown a string of issues throughout this season, Jurgen Klopp’s side put in an almost trademark display here as they breezed past an Everton side who find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap.

Opening the scoring late in the first-half with a stunning counter-attack as Mohamed Salah swept home just 18 seconds after Everton had a corner down the other end, Klopp would have been thrilled with his side’s display at Anfield.

Watching January arrival Cody Gakpo finally open his account just moments after returning from the half-time break as the Dutch international tapped home from close range, Liverpool really didn’t have to get out of third gear for large spells.

In a heavyweight derby that often proved to be a fiery affair from Anfield, we have taken a look at the main talking points as the Premier League giants claimed Merseyside bragging rights on home soil.

Liverpool must use this as a platform

Coming off the back of a nightmare 3-0 drumming away at relegation scrappers Wolves last weekend, Liverpool were more than aware that they faced a huge amount of pressure on them at Anfield.

However, although Klopp’s side might have shown a string of issues since returning from the World Cup’s winter break, the former Borussia Dortmund boss was left thrilled with a crucial display on Monday night.

Clinching all three points thanks to a pair of stellar counter-attacking strikes, fans around the red half of Merseyside will be calling on their team to use this performance as a platform to build on going forward.

Finally managing to grab their first domestic victory since opening 2023, Klopp’s men will be desperate to try and find some much-needed stability during the second-half of the campaign.

Still sat nine points adrift of breaking back into the top-four, Liverpool face what could be a season-defining showdown this weekend.

Gaining a reputation for their glaring struggles on the road, Monday’s hosts will be next seen when they travel to Champions League hopefuls Newcastle.

Everton come crashing back down to earth

Opening Sean Dyche’s tenure at Goodison Park with a famous display on February 4th as they claimed a 1-0 victory against Arsenal, Everton would have made the trip across Stanley Park smelling the chance to spring a major upset.

However, while back-to-back Premier League victories might have seen the Blues skyrocket their way out of the relegation zone, the former Burnley boss saw his side come crashing back down to earth on Monday night.

While Everton might have impressed many with their rugged display against the Gunners earlier in the month, Dyche’s side failed to find a similar level and couldn’t lay much of a blow on their bitter local rivals.

Left frustrated by the news that attacking talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin has suffered yet another injury set-back, Monday’s guests once again face what looks set to be a huge battle in 2023.

Still sat in the bottom-three and with it looking like their 1-0 victory against Arsenal might have just been a minor boost, the Toffees simply couldn’t match Liverpool’s intensity here.

Electric Salah

While fans around Anfield would have been glad to see £45million January arrival Gakpo open his account on Monday night, Klopp would have been relieved to see his attacking talisman make a timely return to scoring ways.

Finishing off Liverpool’s remarkable counter-attack and opening the scoring nine minutes before the half-time break, Salah certainly appeared to be back to his clinical best at Anfield.

Causing Everton’s leaky defence a host of issues here, the 30-year-old’s goal was the first Premier League strike that Salah has recorded since opening the New Year.

Not getting on a top-flight scoresheet since Liverpool claimed a 3-1 victory away at Aston Villa on Boxing Day, the one-time Chelsea starlet will know that he has a vital role to play in 2023.

While Salah might have only bagged eight Premier League goals this season and endured what has been his most testing spell since arriving at Anfield six years ago, the Egyptian superstar has proven he is still Klopp’s MVP.

Match Report

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexader-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic, Salah, Gakpo, Nunez

Subs: Jota, Milner, Firmino, Keita, Elliot

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Iwobi, Onana, Gueye, Doucoure, McNeil, Simms

Subs: Gray, Maupay, Davies

Goals: Salah (36′), Gakpo (49′)

Yellow Cards: Liverpool: Robertson – Everton: Pickford, Doucoure, Coady

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Simon Hooper