Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton could not be split in a tense contest at Goodison Park on Sunday.
First half goals from Danny Ings (41’) and Romelu Lukaku (45+1’) settled the result that would ultimately cost under-pressure Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers his job.
Ex-Burnley striker Ings put the Reds in front from a corner approaching half time after losing his marker amid some slack marking from the home side, nodding beyond Tim Howard with ease.
The lead would not last long, however. Emre Can made a meal of a seemingly routine clearance to gift Lukaku an opportunity from close-range will he duly dispatched, thumping a low strike past a stranded Simon Mignolet.
Mignolet was a focal point of the action in the opening stanza and the busier goalkeeper overall, making two outstanding saves firstly off a Steven Naismith header that looked to have already passed him and then from the boot of James McCarthy.
As expected, the fixture was not without its flashpoints. Can and Ross Barkley came together first, as did Lukaku and a fired-up Mamadou Sakho nearing full time. This tussle in particular threatened to boil over.
Everton enjoyed the ascendency in the second 45 but could not convert that into a winner. Liverpool appeared lucky to finish the match with 10 men after Lucas, already on a yellow card, clipped McCarthy as he streamed through midfield.
Everton remain one point ahead of Liverpool, seventh and 10th respectively.
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Formations
Roberto Martinez maintained the same XI that came from behind to defeat West Brom at the Hawthorns. Injured duo John Stones and Seamus Coleman did not come up and were not part of the matchday squad despite a general belief they would be involved.
Everton XI (4-2-3-1): Howard (GK); Browning, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Galloway; Barry, McCarthy; Deulofeu, Barkley, Naismith; Lukaku.
Like Martinez, Rodgers selected an unchanged team. Christian Benteke remained sidelined with injury and was not involved on matchday, so Ings and Daniel Sturridge led the line with Philippe Coutinho sitting in the hole.
Liverpool XI (3-4-3): Mignolet (GK); Can, Sakho, Skrtel; Clyne, Milner, Lucas, Moreno; Ings, Coutinho, Sturridge.
Lukaku and Everton benefit from direct football
Twenty-two-year-old Lukaku struggled somewhat last season and it was argued by many that his issues were largely thanks to a slow passing brand of football. Martinez and his players appear to have learned their lesson since then and it showed against the Reds.
When the opportunity arose, the likes of Phil Jagielka, Gareth Barry and McCarthy, amongst others, immediately lifted their heads and sought to play long to Lukaku, who hovered around the half-way line. Lukaku won 50% of aerial duels he was involved in and always looked to get the better of the likes of Can, Skrtel and Sakho physically, in particular Can, who remains an inexperienced centre-back and with seven less centimetres of height.
His improved hold-up play was a feature of Everton’s push for a winner and allowed the side to venture into the Liverpool half.
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Late pace injection brought extra dimension
For the most part, Liverpool managed to keep Everton’s wide men quiet, in particular the mercurial Spaniard Gerard Deulofeu. He managed just two crosses, five effective passes (two of which were in his own half, another two were backwards) and one successful take-on, usually his bread and butter.
Marshalling that flank were Sakho and Alberto Moreno – they can be applauded for a job well done.
Smelling blood yet with a blocked route, Martinez introduced Lennon on the half-hour mark, early by the Spanish gaffer’s standards.
The ex-Spur provided the Blues with a spark, taking up possession around the Liverpool penalty box on both sides and always looking to attack the byline. However, he was not able to contribute a winning goal or assist.
Is this the end of centre-back Can?
It was not the first time ex-Leverkusen utility Can has appeared in the heart of defence – quite the opposite. However, his derby performance was one that will reaffirm the views of sceptics or reinforce the obvious, depending on one’s thoughts of the player – he is not a centre-back.
Can lined up on the right-hand side of the back three and did well enough in the air, winning two of three air balls he was involved in, but was often dispossessed by the bustling Lukaku and seemed to struggle with the sheer strength and size of Lukaku when the ball came their way.
All of this is without mentioning Can’s clearance calamity, which was directly at fault for Lukaku’s equalising goal.
With Rodgers dismissed, an interesting point of discussion will follow the new manager: where does the German international line up?
Everton Conclusion
An underwhelming final score undid an excellent performance by Everton. Martinez will be disappointed his side could not find a breakthrough but should be pleased by the intent and the way in which the ball found its way up the field.
For he and his side, it is a matter of maintaining the same style: getting Lukaku involved and taking advantage of his physical attributes. He will be critical to any success Everton aspire to have against their next opponent, Manchester United, and their undersized defensive pairing.
Liverpool Conclusion
‘Back to the drawing board’ is a cliche that is often overused, but for Liverpool it is absolutely applicable. Rodgers has been sacked and a new boss awaits. For this reason, it is near impossible to predict how the Reds will respond tactically.
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