Liverpool vs Everton: Player ratings and updates from Merseyside derby

Liverpool 2-0 Everton.

Liverpool have rediscovered their old intensity and attacking prowess against Everton in the Merseyside derby that saw the red half of the city win 2-0. The first goal came from a devastating counter attack that demonstrated some brilliant link-up play between Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah. The Uruguayan did the running and the Egyptian king did the finishing, and in the second half Cody Gakpo scored his first Liverpool goal to make it 2-0. The midfield, which has been a problem area for the Reds this season, were in fine form as Jordan Henderson set the pace from the start and Stefan Bajcetic put in a Man of the Match performance. Sean Dyche will be disappointed in his Everton team, who after a great win against top-of-the-table Arsenal, failed to perform against their own neighbours.

The starting XI:

Liverpool: Alisson: 7 Alexander-Arnold: 8 Gomez: 7 Matip: 7 Robertson: 8 Bajcetic: 9 Henderson: 8 Fabinho: 7 Salah: 9 Nunez: 8 Gakpo: 8   Everton: Jordan Pickford: 6 Coleman: 5 Tarkowski: 4 Coady: 5 Mykolenko: 5 McNeil: 6 Doucoure: 5 Gueye: 5 Onana: 7 Iwobi: 7 Simms: 4

Pre-match build up:

Liverpool take on Everton at Anfield in the Merseyside derby with added importance given that both sides have been struggling so much lately. Jurgen Klopp's men will be thankful that this game is at home, as their recent away form has been shocking, losing their last three in a row; something they haven't done since 2012. Despite being very leaky at the back and completely opening up the floodgates in terms of conceding goals, they are bone dry up front, having scored just one goal in 2023. Everton's form has seen them right in the middle of a relegation scrap; somewhere they definitely did not want to be. After sacking Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche has come in and gotten an immediate reaction with a shock win over league leaders Arsenal. Will this just be a honeymoon phase, or has the blue side of the Merseyside finally found the right man to not only lead them to safety, but finally start progressing as a club? Injuries: The big news is that Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are all named on the bench, meaning that Liverpool's key players look like they are finally close to a return. Thiago is in doubt for Liverpool while Ibrahame Konate, Arthur Melo and Luis Diaz are all on the long-term injury list still. For Everton, Nathan Patterson, Michael Keane, James Garner and Andros Townsend are all out, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a doubt with a thigh injury. Related links:

• Alex Ferguson ignored former Liverpool star for 20 years
• Soccer Saturday panel predict Jurgen Klopp will "walk away at the end of the season"
• "You know why" Jurgen Klopp refuses to speak to Athletic journalist at press conference