Liverpool player ratings 2 vs 0 Everton: Luis Diaz dominates Merseyside Derby as Mohamed Salah double settles controversial Anfield 

Liverpool Everton Luis Diaz GFXGetty/GOAL

Player ratings

Liverpool

L. Díaz

Mohamed Salah

Premier League

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Liverpool vs Everton

The Colombian was dominant throughout, drawing Ashley Young into two yellow cards, then winning the penalty from which the Reds broke the deadlock

Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table, at least for a few hours, after a double from Mohamed Salah secured a hard-fought 2-0 win over Everton in what was a controversial Merseyside Derby at Anfield on Saturday.

Toffees defender Ashley Young was sent off in the 37th minute after making a reckless slide tackle on Luis Diaz and receiving a second yellow card, having previously tripped the Colombia international for his first boking. Ibrahima Konate, though, was fortunate not to be shown a red card himself for two very similar offences in the second half, which should have evened up the teams, but the Reds centre-back somehow escaped.

Liverpool were given a penalty shortly afterwards, as Michael Keane was punished for handballing a Diaz cross, and Salah stepped up and to fire beyond Jordan Pickford. And as Everton attempted to pour forward and rescue something from the game, Liverpool broke away, with Darwin Nunez playing in Salah to score the Reds’ second goal in stoppage-time.

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GOAL rates Liverpool’s players from Anfield…

Alisson Becker Liverpool 2023-24Getty Images

Goalkeeper & Defence

Alisson Becker (6/10):

Flapped at a corner early on but his distribution was impeccable. Never called into any serious action by the Everton attack.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

A sublime range of passing and pushed into midfield whenever he could. Operated as the Reds’ quarter-back, constantly starting attacks and making things happen.

Ibrahima Konate (4/10):

Stood up to Calvert-Lewin’s presence. Booked for stopping an Everton counter before it started and should have been sent off for a second very similar foul. Subbed shortly after. The luckiest man inside Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

Always so committed defensively. Strode out of defence on numerous occasions to get the Reds moving and was never really tested by Calvert-Lewin or Beto.

Kostas Tsimikas (6/10):

Deputising for the injured Robertson, he delivered the ball well and was never threatened defensively. Subbed for Nunez at 0-0 as Liverpool went more attacking.

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Midfield

Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):

Always looked to move the ball forward. Was exceptional in the first-half and had more than one attempt from range, but his influence faded as Everton attempted to shore things up following Young’s red card.

Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):

Played some excellent passes from midfield and kept the Reds ticking. Finally starting to look comfortable in a red shirt.

Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):

Such a rangy presence, he moved the ball well and got forward, although he couldn’t help unpick the defence. Subbed for Elliott on the hour.

Mohamed Salah Liverpool 2023-24Getty Images

Attack

Mohamed Salah (8/10):

Whistled a vicious effort just over the bar in the first half. Constantly running at Everton and scored the penalty after Keane handled. Added the second in injury-time with a clever finish from Nunez’s pass.

Diogo Jota (5/10):

Struggled to offer a real focal point and dropped deeper once Nunez emerged from the bench. The game seemed to pass him by somewhat until injury-time, when he slalomed through the defence and shot into the side netting.

Luis Diaz (9/10):

Denied early on by a superb Young tackle, but then drew the full-back in for two bookings. Absolutely tortured the full-back, and then earned a penalty, as he crossed the ball from which Keane handled and Salah scored. A brilliant, decisive display.

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool 2023-24Getty Images

Subs & Manager

Harvey Elliott (7/10):

Replaced Gravenberch. Some excellent touches to keep the ball, and a nice eye for a pass. Forced Pickford into a brilliant late save with a fantastic long-range effort.

Darwin Nunez (7/10):

On for Tsimikas as the Reds went more attacking. Drove at Everton more than once and assisted Salah’s second after an excellent break.

Joel Matip (6/10):

Came on for Konate as Klopp looked to avoid his defender being sent off. Mopped up whenever he could but Everton struggled to push up the pitch.

Joe Gomez (6/10):

On for Diaz with 10 minutes remaining as the Reds looked to keep their clean sheet intact.

Jurgen Klopp (6/10):

While the decision to start Jota up front did not really pan out, Klopp’s substitutions were smart, and the Reds were rarely in any kind of danger. A Merseyside Derby win is always going to go down well.