Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Everton as Mohamed Salah and more struggle

GOODISON PARK, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool missed the chance to move level on points with Arsenal in the Premier League table with a poor showing in Jürgen Klopp's final Merseyside derby. The Reds' title chances are now gone.

Everton thought it had earned a penalty in the opening minutes when Alisson Becker brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin. But the foul (and the subsequent yellow card) was overturned because the number nine was offside as he was played through.

That set the tone. It was a warning sign and it only served to increase the atmosphere inside Goodison Park. Everton then went ahead through Jarrad Branthwaite and had shown plenty of intensity and desire. In the battle, it was coming out on top.

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Liverpool had started the second half well when Calvert-Lewin leaped up above everyone to head home from a corner at the far post. But the Reds had not scored while they were on top, and then couldn't defend sufficiently at the other end.

THe urgency ramped up ut the Everton players had the crowd behind them — and, crucially, something to hold onto. Sean Dyche kicked every ball on the touchline but his side didn't need the extra help.

WINNERS

Alexis Mac Allister and Trent Alexander-Arnold did their best in possession but Liverpool really struggled to create anything against the Everton low block. Andy Robertson gave his all but was unable to find the final ball. Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo were much missed — even as substitute options to change things up — but no one in red won here.

LOSERS

Ultimately, this was a huge blow for Liverpool's hopes of the rest of the season truly meaning something. As a team, those in red simply didn't do enough, and familiar issues — going behind and being unable to take their chances — haunted them again. Ibrahima Konaté struggled but he wasn't the only one.

PLAYER RATINGS

Alisson Becker — 6

Made a superb save from Calvert-Lewin from close range, not that long after he had fouled the forward, only to be saved by there being an offside. Fortunate that the spot kick was then overturned. It was a busy opening 15 minutes for the Brazilian. Could perhaps have done better with the opening goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold — 6

Like the rest of the Liverpool team, Alexander-Arnold struggled to get into many promising positions because of the lack of space on the pitch. When the Reds' number 66 was dropping deep to pick up possession, he wasn't given any time to get his head up. Out wide, his crossing wasn't up to the usual standard because there were so many players in the way.

Ibrahima Konaté — 4

Struggled a couple of times in the aerial duels with Calvert-Lewin and seemed surprised that he was having to challenge so frequently in the air. Van Dijk wanted him to move the ball quicker at times but simply doing it more accurately would have been a good start.

Virgil van Dijk — 6

Booked for berating the referee and while he was probably right, that didn't help in terms of Liverpool keeping its cool. It only served to increase the atmosphere inside Goodison Park even further.

Andy Robertson — 6

Got the wrong side of Jack Harrison a couple of times but his subsequent cross was hit into an area rather than to a specific player. More precision was required on those occasions.

Dominik Szoboszlai — 5

Got into some promising areas on the edge of the penalty area but was lacking the final touch or pass to create a proper opening for himself. Ended up frustrating himself as he so often has in recent appearances for Liverpool.

Alexis Mac Allister — 6

Got the ball stuck under his feet a couple of times and struggled to find space to operate in. A couple of forward balls he tried were a little forced and he looked like he was being successfully rushed and harried.

Curtis Jones — 6

When he got the ball, he did his usual thing and played with intensity. But there was so little space that at least a couple of times, he played the safe option when Klopp wanted him to drive at his opponent with a direct dribble.

Mohamed Salah — 5

Very quiet in the first half and struggled to find space. When he did, he either mishit a shot or blazed over the crossbar. Improved slightly in the second half but not enough.

Darwin Núñez — 5

Missed a big chance when set through on goal, only to hit the ball straight at Jordan Pickford. Other than that, wasn't hugely involved. A couple of times, he could have had good chances had he got his first touch right. Stifled.

Luis Díaz — 6

Like Núñez, Pickford saved when Díaz had a big chance. It was straight at him when either side would have been almost impossible to save. With the ball at his feet, there were so many bodies in front of him that it would have taken a remarkable piece of skill to engineer any space.

SUBSTITUTES

Wataru Endō — 5

He helped win some aerial duels in the middle of the pitch but wasn't really there to get on the ball and create chances. That is what Liverpool needed most in the circumstances it found itself in. Instead, he gave up possession far too easily.

Harvey Elliott — 6

Tried to create but found the lack of space tough. Liverpool needed poise and guile but he couldn't quite offer enough to find a breakthrough in the Everton defense. Had a decent effort tipped over the bar.

Jarell Quansah — 6

Replaced Konaté and settled into the intensity quickly. The Frenchman didn't look as assured as Quansah did but by that point, it was already too late.

Kostas Tsimikas — 6

Got into some promising positions but wasn't on the field long enough to make a huge difference. The Greek presumably came on to give Robertson a rest ahead of the weekend.

Joe Gomez — 6

Brought on to replace Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool missed its vice-captain's ability to get on the ball. Gomez wasn't really able to make a huge impact in the short time he was on the pitch.