Player ratings after 0-0 draw at Goodison Park
There was no repeat of the six goal thriller of last season as Liverpool and Everton fought out a somewhat entertaining 0-0 draw.
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Roberto Martinez’s side seemed to want not to lose rather than going all out for the win after some recent poor results.
And Liverpool couldn’t break them down, their comeback win against Bolton Wanderers in midweek seemingly leaving their legs heavy as they struggled to compete in the second half.
GK: Simon Mignolet
Hardly a save to make in the ninety but was there when he needed to be for Everton’s few, rare forays into the Liverpool box.
RCB: Emre Can – 7
Showed that galavanting style that inspired Liverpool’s comeback in the second half in midweek and was comfortable and impressive against the muscular Lukaku, keeping the Belgian well out of the game.
CB: Martin Skrtel – 6
Not much to do as Everton hardly troubled a solid looking Liverpool back line led by the Slovakian.
LCB: Mamadou Sakho – 6
Looked solid for the majority of the 90 minutes apart from one instance of overplaying in the first half that could have let Everton in.
RM: Jordon Ibe – 6
The youngster culdn’t mark his first derby off with a goal but showed flashes of what is to come with some incredible runs including one in the first half that saw him crack a shot against the post.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 5
Sprayed the ball effectively from the middle but couldn’t find the penetration Liverpool were crying out for to get their wide-men involved or their front men behind the Everton back line.
CM: Lucas – N/A
Went off injured after 15 minutes but it was unclear how he picked up the issue. Was replaced by Joe Allen.
LM: Alberto Moreno – 5
Had a number of good bursts in the first half but was almost anonymous in the second apart from a shot that was so bad it may have landed somewhere in the Mersey river.
RAM: Steven Gerrard – 6
Had a couple of shots including one great acrobatic effort in the second half but couldn’t mark his final Premier League, Merseyside derby with a goal.
CF: Raheem Sterling – 5
Was his usual self and bristled with energy in the first 45 minutes but his exploits in the FA Cup in midweek seemingly caught up with him and he fizzled out to a dud in the second.
LAM: Philippe Coutinho – 5
Couldn’t repeat the goalscoring exploits as against Bolton in midweek but had a couple of spectacular shots that Joel was equal to in the Everton goal.
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers looked to change things up when it was clear his side were tiring in the second half but neither Sturridge or Lambert could adequately change the game
Subs:
Joe Allen – 6
Did as he was told and ably replaced the tough tackling Lucas in the middle by making some fine interceptions.
Daniel Sturridge – 5
A fierce shot in the second half that was eventually blocked was all she wrote for Sturridge who had less of an impact than his return to action after five months out last week.
Rickie Lambert – N/A
Had a shot late in the game but was on for less than ten minutes.