Four things Jurgen Klopp got wrong as resilient Everton hold Liverpool to draw
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Jordan Pickford and Alisson Becker were the heroes as neither Everton nor Liverpool were able to find a way past their opposing goalkeepers.
As expected, Liverpool enjoyed the Lion’s share of possession, but Frank Lampard’s side began the game with greater scoring intent. Tom Davies rattled the post with a graceful outside of the boot effort, after Virgil van Dijk blocked an effort from Neal Maupay. For the best part of 40 minutes, Liverpool barely muddied Jordan Pickford’s gloves, but a crazy minute of action saw the Reds rattle the woodwork twice.
Darwin Nunez, a passenger for most of the first half, made a trademark diagonal run across Conor Coady and unleashed a vicious half volley on the run which needed a spectacular save from Jordan Pickford. However, the England No.1 had barely got to his feet when Luis Diaz cut inside and smacked an unstoppable effort against the post.
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Pickford and Alisson were the stars of the show in the second half, making countless saves to keep their sides in the contest.. Conor Coady thought he had prodded Everton into the lead against his former club, but the former Wolves captain's shoulder was only just offside.
And it will be Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rueing the result more as more points are dropped in the Reds' battle for Premier League success. Daily Star Sport have looked at what Klopp got wrong at Goodison Park.
Nunez reinstated
Three goals and three assists in two matches would normally make you the first name on the team sheet, but it was only enough to give Roberto Firmino a place on the bench. However, the Brazilian's prolific form was not even the main reason why some eyebrows were raised when Darwin Nunez was selected.
The Uruguayan was immediately reinstated to the frontline having served a three match ban for head-butting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Anderson. Considering the physicality, passion, and fireworks of the Merseyside Derby, deploying a striker who has already cemented himself as one of the Premier League's biggest hot heads was a brave decision from Klopp.
Despite numerous barges and digs from the Liverpool back four, Nunez did manage to control his emotions and channel that infamous rage into his game, bursting beyond defenders and almost giving the Reds a first half lead with a venomous half volley on the run. Unfortunately, Liverpool's attack was nowhere near as fluid without Firmino leading the frontline.
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Eliott and Carvalho
Even if Klopp had his full selection of midfielders to choose from, the German may have still deployed Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho against the Toffees. The young duo have enjoyed an excellent start to the season, adding extra zip, energy, and fearlessness to a midfield which began the campaign too cautiously.
Both players began relatively nervously and Elliott's slack pass to Fabinho led to Neal Maupay's early chance in the first half. Interestingly, Carvalho and Elliott were often found by the touchlines when the Reds were in possession.
But while this did allow Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas to venture forward, it did leave Fabinho outnumbered in the midfield. Both players will likely occupy Liverpool's midfield in the long run, but more development is needed.
Formation change
Klopp has almost religiously presided over a 4-3-3 set up for the last four years. However, Carvalho's injury forced the German to adopt a very attacking 4-2-3-1 formation which featured Roberto Firmino playing as an attacking midfielder, while Elliott and Fabinho sat in front of the back four.
Firmino initially arrived at Anfield as an attacking midfielder in 2015, but he has mainly been deployed as a 'false nine' under Klopp. He is an expert at peeling off defenders, finding space between the lines, and linking the play.
However, with Nunez occupying the likes of James Tarkowski and Coady, Firmino could not draw defenders inside like he usually could.. While he did nearly open the scoring in the early stages of the second half, Firmino could not have his usual impact.
One eye on Napoli?
Trent Alexander-Arnold was brought off for James Milner, while Andrew Robertson came on for Kostas Tismikas. Considering the fact Liverpool were troubling the Everton back four with their crosses and overlapping runs, the decision to take off Alexander-Arnold was a curious one.
The dropping of Robertson also raised plenty of eyebrows, particularly with the importance of this fixture. Considering the fact Liverpool, and nearly all Premier League clubs, do not usually do well when they travel to Napoli, the starting eleven and his choice of substitutions appeared to be a team designed to maintain freshness.
Such a decision naturally carries its risks, but Klopp's decision did not quite have the desired effect.
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- Jurgen Klopp
- Liverpool FC
- Everton FC
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