Everton player ratings as three good but two 5/10 in Liverpool defeat
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Everton and David Moyes' Anfield misery continued as they were beaten 2-1 by Premier League champions Liverpool.
But after a poor first half when they were not at the races, the Blues at least looked competitive against their neighbours after the break, ensuring a nervous finish to the game for the hosts.
Ryan Gravenberch fired the Reds ahead just 10 minutes into the contest and when Hugo Ekitike doubled their lead on 29 minutes, it looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for Everton.
Moyes responded by swapping Beto for Thierno Barry up front at half-time and after the interval the Blues looked much better, pulling a goal back through Idrissa Gueye on 58 minutes.
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But despite their much-improved display, they were unable to find an equaliser.
Here's how the ECHO rated the Everton players...
Jordan Pickford 6
Will be disappointed with how Ekitike slipped the ball past him for the second goal, although he pointed at his temple to suggest a lack of focus from those in front of him and there wasn’t much he could do about Gravenberch’s smart finish.
Jake O’Brien 6
A much more purely defensive assignment as there was not much scope for getting forward when grappling with Cody Gakpo for long periods and then facing a £100million substitute in Florian Wirtz.
Vitalii Mykolenko 5
He’s done better against Liverpool, his return to fitness represented a welcome pre-match boost in the shape of a recognised left-back who has competed well against Mohamed Salah in the past but both goals came down his flank and he was outfoxed by the Egyptian when he provided the opener.
James Tarkowski 6
Battled hard as you’d expect and his bravery ensured Liverpool were unable to extend their lead after the break but couldn’t get close enough to either Gravenberch or Ekitike for either goal.
Michael Keane 6
Like Tarkowski, he did well to hang in there after the interval, but first Gravenberch, then Ekitike got between him and his centre-back partner for both goals, showing the levels you’re up against when facing the champions.
Idrissa Gueye 7
Ensured Everton didn’t equal their record of failing to score at Anfield by halving the deficit with a thunderous finish into Alisson Becker’s net, with a much-improved showing after the break showing the visitors wouldn’t give up without a fight.
James Garner 7
Showed the example for some of his colleagues to follow by trying to get at Liverpool’s players, showing steel with a smart tackle on Ekitike having been restored to his favoured central midfield berth.
Iliman Ndiaye 6
Took a while to get going but finally displayed his quality just before the hour mark as he latched onto Jack Grealish’s cross and provided a clever lay-off for Gueye with what was his first ever Everton assist having earlier picked up the first booking of the day for a challenge on Milos Kerkez.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 5
Always a determined competitor, but the blood and thunder of the Merseyside derby seemed to pass him by somewhat, despite having arguably Everton’s best chance of the first half when Grealish slipped the ball through to him, only for him to fire his shot over the bar in front of the Kop.
Jack Grealish 7
Liverpool fans recognised he was Everton’s danger man as they cheered every time he was thwarted, but there was nothing their team could do to prevent his smart cross to Ndiaye at the back post that would end with the goal that reduced arrears, he always offered a threat.
Beto 6
Couldn’t direct his volleyed shot from Ndiaye’s cross on target and otherwise mostly fed feed on scraps as Everton struggled to penetrate Liverpool’s defence, he was taken off at the interval.
Substitutes
Thierno Barry (on 46 for Beto) 6
Took the fight to Liverpool after the break and proved a handful through his physical presence.
Charly Alcaraz (on 86 for Mykolenko)
Late cameo as Everton’s searched for an equaliser.
Tyler Dibling (on 86 for Ndiaye)
Ditto for his Blues Premier League debut.