Match Report

There have been precious few victorious derby moments for Evertonians to savour on this side of the turn of the Millennium — the almost Iwo Jima-esque image of Tim Cahill atop a mound of players celebrating Lee Carsley’s goal in 2004; the “Andy Johnson” derby in 2006; the Cahill-Mikel Arteta double-act in 2010; and the James Rodriguez-Richarlison combination two years ago are the only ones, of course — but for periods in this pulsating all-Merseyside clash it felt like another one might be coming.

Conor Coady thought he had grabbed it, ironically enough against his boyhood club, only to have his goal ruled out for offside; Neal Maupay will feel as though he should have had one on his debut; and, frankly, had Tom Davies bent an instinctive shot a few inches further inside the post and won the game, you feel as though Everton would have deserved it even if Liverpool had a number of very near misses of their own.

If Frank Lampard could bottle the intensity, blood and thunder that a local derby can engender, he would; unfortunately, like the blue smoke and thunderous welcomes for the players’ coach on Goodison Road, it’s not sustainable for 38 games a season. Maintain most of the spirit that accompanies these games, however, and marry it with the increasing confidence and effectiveness they have on the ball now and the Blues should be just fine this season.

This was a very effective display from Everton in a contest where they have often been massively inferior in many departments in recent years, not least last season. Jürgen Klopp may have been dealing with a number of injuries to important players but, on paper, his team is still significantly stronger.

Lampard’s Blues closed that gap today on an afternoon where both goals seemed to live a charmed life, both goalkeepers had to underline their world-class credentials — Jordan Pickford, especially, was brilliant (if you set aside his distribution) — and the fortitude of the Goodison Park “woodwork” was tested at both ends.

And, of course, there was controversy as Virgil van Dijk escaped even a cursory examination by Video Assistant Referee, Darren England of a borderline red-card challenge on Amadou Onana, a handball in the box by James Milner went completely unchecked, and Coady’s first goal in a Blue jersey was chalked off by VAR even though Maupay’s ball across goal for him appeared to be partially blocked by James Milner.

Three points would, of course, have been brilliant to get. A point, though, is one gained on this fixture last season and represents a fourth draw in a row for a side that is becoming increasingly hard to beat and is visibly finding itself as a collective. On this evidence, the wins will come because today illustrated the extent to which Lampard’s hard work at Finch Farm is paying off on the pitch where it counts.

Lampard made one change from the team that drew at Leeds on Tuesday, bringing Maupay in for his first start since his arrival from Brighton at the expense of Dwight McNeil and the debutant had the first chance of the game, a shot he scuffed across goal following good work by Demarai Gray.

Always dangerous, Liverpool fashioned their first opening in the 19th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold dug out a deep cross from the byline that Darwin Nunez headed wide at the back post.

Gordon then tested Allison with a crisp, low shot following a corner but the Brazilian saved it comfortably but 13 minutes before the break, Everton rattled the woodwork after a sustained spell of pressure ended with the ball breaking for Davies. Unfortunately, the midfielder’s instinctive shot with the outside of his boot curled onto the post and bounced out.

Nunez headed another chance well over in the 40th minute but the Uruguayan prompted a brilliant save from Pickford three minutes after that. Ambitiously taking a bouncing ball on the half-volley, Nunez’s shot took a nick off Nathan Patterson but Pickford tipped onto the crossbar and then the ball came back to Luis Diaz, the Colombian smacked an effort of his own off the inside of the post.

The reds started the second half the better side and Konstantinos Tsimikas fired wide from the angle not long after half-time but Maupay had a half-chance a minute later when Alex Iwobi found him in the box with his back to goal but his overhead kick dropped narrowly over the bar.

After a lull, the game then ratcheted back up again for a back-and-forth final half hour that yielded great chances for both sides to break the deadlock.

Nunez shot straight at Pickford from just inside the box, Iwobi tried to catch Allison out with a half-volley but his cheeky effort dropped wide while the excellent Patterson almost profited from a deflection off Van Dijk but his shot bounced behind off the Dutch defender.

At the other end, substitute Roberto Firmino saw a shot finger-tipped behind by Pickford but Everton surged forward in numbers on the counter, Gray eventually laid it back to Maupay who had time to set himself in front of goal but lifted his shot to a height where Allison could block from close range and divert it behind.

The French forward thought he had redeemed himself shortly afterwards, though after Gray’s corner had come back to him on the right and his cross was chested down by Maupay who fired it back across goal for Coady to convert almost on the line.

Unfortunately, the defender’s celebrations and those of the deafening Goodison crowd were cut short by Video Assistant Referee Darren England who determined that he was half a yard offside.

Van Dijk could count himself fortunate to avoid a red card for an ugly stamp on Amadou Onana’s ankle, an incident that didn’t seem to get any attention from the VAR, and the Dutchman was in the way six minutes from time when Dwight McNeil, on a couple of minutes earlier for Gordon, saw a deflected shot clawed over by Allison just when it looked as though the ball might loop over him and in.

Pickford denied Firmino once more three minutes from the end and England’s Number 1 pulled one out of the top draw deep into stoppage time when he got his fingernails on a Mohamed Salah shot that was arrowing inside his near post and diverted it onto the post.

The first priority in any derby is, obviously, to avoid defeat and given that Everton were facing Liverpool this week and then League leaders Arsenal next weekend, anything the Toffees got out of this game was always going to be well received.

As welcome as a point is, perhaps the confidence that will come from a fine team display coupled with some really impressive individual performances will end up being more valuable. Where only a couple of weeks ago, Evertonians were wondering where the first win would come from, you can envisage on the back of today how victories can be attained.

Lampard has the Blues moving the ball better than they have for a long time, hitting their targets with crisp passing through the lines, looking very strong in the middle (Gueye slotted back in like he had never left), and carrying genuine threat on the counter-attack. Add in the aerial prowess of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the next few weeks and they will look even better.

Lyndon Lloyd

Matchday Updates

Everton take on local rivals Liverpool in the first Merseyside derby of the season, and the first game since the closure of this summer's transfer window. 

All eyes will be on Frank Lampard's selection and how he will set out the side now that he has greater control over the type and character of player wearing the Royal Blue shirt of Everton FC in this always fractious and hopefully competitive fixture.

Neal Maupay is the only change, making his Everton debut in place of Dwight McNeil, who is on the bench with Idrissa Gana Gueye. No sign of James Garner in the squad but Tom Davies keeps his place in midfield while Stanley Mills, the only current Academy player, is also among the subs. 

Liverpool kicked off... straight into touch. But they eventually won the first corner, Tsimikas's shot needed blocking away. Everton conceded possession, allowing Liverpool to come at them, the defended balls not getting to the half-way line until Maupay finally crossed the rubicon after fully 5 minutes of allowing Liverpool to build attack after attack. 

Fabinho fouled Gordon and the ball was launched by Coady then whipped in from Gray but well ahead of Maupay. But a much better attack should have seen the Blues ahead, Maupay's shot more of a cross too far ahead of Gordon. Davies winded Fabinho in the attack.

Diaz swung his arm at Patterson on the back, attracting attention from Mr Taylor as Liverpool kept coming onto the Everton defence, who struggled still to play the ball out while retaining possession. Maupay and Gordon tried more of a high press but it was half-hearted at best as Everton resorted to more long balls which were not all that successful. 

Gray advanced down the right, cut inside and gave the ball away, leading to a Liverpool attack in which Arnold rescued a lost ball for a dangerous cross that Diaz could have scored from. Meanwhile Gray again took one touch too many and another Everton attack was dissipated.

Everton won their first corner that Gray delivered low and it came out to Gordon who fired in a good strong shot goalwards that Allison had covered all the way. Gordon appeared to be fouled but Liverpool got away with it. Gordon made a couple of niggly fouls and, from the second free kick, Diaz came close but Pickford was covering.

A more determined attack saw Davies hit the post when it seemed easier to score after better work by Gray who had switched sides with Gray.

Liverpool mounted another and Onana was late with his tackle on Carvalho, drawing the first yellow card. From the free-kick, Onana got in a great defensive header, and Diaz then headed over. Everton were defending well enough but were struggling in the transition to attack, all too often gifting the ball back to Liverpool with poor play. 

A long ball picked out Nunez, who forced a tremendous save from Pickford, his fingertip touch onto the bar and from the follow-up, Diaz drilled the ball into the top of the post and it flew back across goal, bouncing a foot in front of the other post and out of play.

Gordon tried and failed to beat Gomez. Maupay was fouled but the ball in was poor. Maupay could not beat Arnold and Gordon could not beat Nunez as Everton's attack stalled. Even steven at the break, Liverpool with perhaps the better chances but, with better play in the opposition penalty area, Everton could easily be ahead. Maupay has shown desire but not enough guile. 

The second half began with Liverpool attacking and again they came very close to scoring, Pickford getting a vital touch to deny 

At the other end, the attempt to play in Maupay was all wrong as he could only try an acrobatic kick with the high ball that sailed over.  Liverpool came on again, Davies forced to block behind for the corner that was defended away. Nuez was gifted a ball from Coady ttthat he smacked at Pickford. 

Liverpool now really sensed weakness in Everton's resolve, 10 minutes into the second half, Coady this time forced to concede. Maupay tried to play out but overhit his dribble, and back came Liverpool. Iwobi tried a desperate lob from a distance that was way off target. Liverpool came again and Onana had to be alert to thwart their advances and force a goal-kick. 

Patterson played a daft backpass out for another corner that Van Dijk headed well over. B

Finally some better football from Eccverton, Gordon forcing a corner, but Gray totally wastes it with an over-hit corner

A great Everton move, Gordon driving in and Patterson firing a great shot deflected behind off Van Dijk

But Liverpool went right up the other end and Firminho forced another vital touch by Firnminho. Two more tremendous trikes and two more great saves from Pickford. Gueye came on to replace Davies.

But this led to a tremendous break for Everton and Maupay really showed how poor he was as he failed to score from an open setup created by Gordon. 

Onana did well to defend for another Liverpool corner but Everton broke again through Gordon but he and Maupay were not smart enough to evade the backtracking Liverpool defenders. But from the corner, Coady was sneaking lineward at the far post and smacked it home. However, it was very close to offside, which is what the VAR decided in favour of Liverpool. 

The game restarted after a long break, chaotic challenges across the pitch making it quite challenging for Taylor to referee. A more deliberate Blue move forced another Everton corner but it was taken short and lost.  Onana was caught by Van Dijk, a very nasty one on the top of his foot yellow card, but of course no VAR chose not to look at it for dangerous play. 

After Onana was treated, Tarkowski forced another Everton corner, better this time from Gray but headed clear. 

Everton put together a more controlled attack that saw McNeil launch a great shot that was deflected up in the air and Allison tipped over. Mykolenko did his trick again of taking his eye off a ball passed to him on the touchline, and from that error, Firminho forced another superb save by Pickford. 

Patterson was called into action again with some excellent determined defending to force a goal-kick. Everton broke but all Gray could do is shoot straight at Allison.  Liverpool attacked again going into 6 minutes of added time. but this time it was cleared, they came back again however, Tarkowski making a good block to stop Salah. 

Liverpool surged forward again and this time Pickford touches Salah's shot onto the base of the post, another brilliant save, then a yellow card for wasting time, Taylor adding on another 40 seconds before he finally blew. Very disappointing in terms of Everton's continuing lack of firepower. 

Everton: Pickford [Y:90+6'], Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Onana [Y:38'], Davies (61' Gueye), Iwobi, Gordon (82' McNeil), Gray, Maupay.

Subs not Used: Begovic, Keane, Allan, Coleman, Vinagre, Rondon, Mills.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (59' Milner), Gomez, Van Dijk [Y:77'], Tsimikas (59'Robertson), Elliott, (80' Matip) Fabinho [Y:90+1'], Carvalho (46' Firmino), Salah, Nunez (80' Jota), Diaz.

Subs not Used: Adrian, Arthur, Bajcetic, Phillips.

Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Darren England

Attendance: 39,240

Michael Kenrick

Getting our Everton back

While driving towards Dan's, Gaz kindly turned around and drove back to my house so I could pick up my glasses... only for us to then do the same thing for Dan once we'd picked him up! We were well ahead of time so it mattered not, and we were soon lurking around Goodison Park with a few tins awaiting the coach to arrive. 

It was more low key than it has been for previous coach welcomings. I can only assume the 12:30 pm kick-off made it too early for some, though it was still good fun nonetheless and Goodison Road is quite the sight when the air is filled with blue smoke. Once the coach had been we hung around for a while and enjoyed our drinks before moving on into a raucous Gwladys Street concourse.

Goodison Park roared as the players took to the field, and then booed and jeered loudly to unwelcome our neighbours. Jordan Pickford won the toss, and Everton attacked towards the Park End in the first half. 

It was great to see Frank Lampard have enough confidence in the three-man midfield to stick at it, and nice to see Tom Davies retain his place after some good recent performances. He was partnered by Alex Iwobi and Amadou Onana. Nathan Patterson continued his promising form at right-back, and what's this I see in attack? An actual out-and-out striker. Mind blown. Welcome aboard Neal, that wasn't a bad debut at all.

I'm writing this without having had an opportunity to see the highlights, so it's difficult to recap everything from such an action-packed game, but the overall experience was a very positive one, and it's the sort of Goodison Park Merseyside derby we've all missed. The sole Rafa Benitez derby was as painful as it gets. The Carlo Ancelotti ones were fanless. We're maybe going back to Marco Silva's only Goodison Park derby for that similar intensity in this fixture... and I seem to remember a certain Idrissa Gueye playing a key role in that goalless draw.

Everton have felt traumatic since then – a seemingly endless run of Rafa Benitez defeats into January this year feeling the lowest ebb. It's requiring patience but today felt like a line in the sand has been drawn. I think Frank spoke for all of us after the game when he said, "We're not celebrating or glorifying a 0-0, we're actually seeing a team with spirit that is organised and gives everything. That makes me proud."

It feels like a bit of a benchmark has been set. A standard of expectation. A squad that finally looks as though it has been recruited sensibly. A manager we can buy into. A manager that loves being here and is determined to make his mark. A brand new stadium in the works, steel stands visible from your drive or train ride to Goodison Park. And supporters in unison behind it all. Good times ahead?

Well, on today's evidence, you could suggest so. Liverpool dominated possession early though Everton appeared comfortable enough with that before making some inroads of their own. Anthony Gordon gave Alisson an early feel of the ball; had Neal Maupay scuffed his chance even more, it might have actually found Alex Iwobi or Anthony Gordon for a simple tap in; and Tom Davies was very unfortunate to see his effort come back off the post – the second time he's been thwarted in a Merseyside derby with the score goalless.

At the other end, Darwin Nunez showed me at least why he will be a handful in this league with his ability to win so many headers, though lucky for us he couldn't direct them on target. His half-volleyed effort was more impressive, however, and Jordan Pickford did very well to tip that onto the crossbar. Luis Diaz picked up the rebound and shimmied inside, though fortunately the ball cannoned away off the inside of the post. 

The last 10 minutes of the half were tough to watch as Liverpool applied heavy pressure, though credit to the lads for holding firm, and trying to break when they had opportunities. At half-time you were happy enough. We were certainly in the game.

A game we thought we'd won of course. We celebrated accordingly when Conor Coady found the net from close range (accordingly, for the record, I was hugging as many people around me as possible in something of an out-of-control experience). We've endured plenty of disallowed VAR goals already this season, so when both teams are ready to restart with the ball in the centre circle, you think the goal is valid. Sadly, after what felt like an eternity, it was ruled out.

I'm yet to see it since and have heard contrasting views, but I think we're all a bit fed up of all this now and, from all accounts, poor use of the VAR has been all the rage today in the Premier League.

Prior to that, Neal Maupay missed a gilt-edged opportunity to put us ahead, though contrived to shoot pretty much straight at Alisson from around 8 yards out. Other close calls in the Liverpool penalty area from memory include two deflected efforts, one from a Nathan Patterson drive which hit Virgil van Dijk and fell wide;  the other which also deflected and forced Alisson to pirouette mid-air and make a tremendous save.

Idrissa Gueye entered the fray amidst this and made a huge difference. Kudos though to Tom Davies who was afforded a rousing reception on departure, and not just from the crowd. Pretty much every one of our outfield players went to him to shake hands and congratulate him on a stellar effort which suggests that not only were they impressed with his output, but also that he's a popular lad in the group. 

The real star of the show, and certainly the one who will steal the headlines, is Jordan Pickford. Most of them were down the other end of the field to me so I'm yet to have a really good look at them, but he made string of saves, presumably fine ones, to help preserve our point. It felt a lot of them were in the final 20 minutes or so. From where we stood, it was hard to tell who did what down there, though I look forward to catching them on Match of the Day shortly.

We knew a lot of stoppage time was coming, we actually expected more than 6 minutes, and Liverpool piled on the pressure more or less throughout, but our team stood firm and held out for the draw. We applauded the team off before heading back to the car and away. I was back in time to catch some cricket at my local club.

Still winless, though certainly not spiritless. Good times are ahead.

Player ratings

Jordan Pickford:  I'd have to see his saves again; thinking about it, I saw a few on the screens at the ground and they looked top drawer. His distribution was frustrating but that's a lame complaint, I suppose, in comparison. 9

Vitalii Mykolenko: He stuck to his task remarkably well and kept Mo Salah as quiet as he could, which is some achievement in itself really. His best game of the season by far. 8

James Tarkowski: I know Jordan gets all the plaudits, but James was man of the match for me. You felt like he really relishes this sort of game. He was colossal at the back and was as big a factor for the clean sheet as anybody. 9

Conor Coady: It's fair to say I've been sceptical of Conor so far, though he won me over today. And what's all this nonsense about him being unable to play in a back four? For me his best two performances to date have been in a back four. Shame the goal was ruled out, it could have been a very special day for him. 8

Nathan Patterson: Talk about coming of age. He's made a superb start to life in the Premier League this season, and tasks won't come much harder than Luis Diaz. Conversely, I imagine Luis will get the better of most full-backs more so than he did Nathan. He's doing very well while he's learning. Given a season or two, he could be a special player. 9

Tom Davies: Tom was excellent. He was very unfortunate not to give us the advantage in the first half and was a key cog in midfield before being substituted. It feels like he's turned a bit of a corner, Tom, even the boo boys seem to have cut him some slack. Well done, Tom. 8

Amadou Onana: He did very well to survive the full game, especially with most of it on a yellow card. He also got studded by Virgil by all accounts in an incident which apparently could have been a red card. Nevertheless, given a few months, he'll be a brilliant player. And given 5-10 games together, a midfield of Irdissa Gueye, Amadou Onana and Alex Iwobi will be something else. 8

Alex Iwobi: He was a bit in and out of the game, but you were always comfortable when he was on the ball as you expect him to look after it and keep possession. It's literally night and day from the player who lacked confidence across our three previous managers. Well done to Alex, Frank and his team for getting that mojo back. That skillful manoeuvre on Mo Salah was certainly pleasing on the eye. 8

Demarai Gray: I thought Demarai was excellent. He was unlucky not to have set up a goal for Neal Maupay of course and was a constant threat. 8

Anthony Gordon: He caused problems with his pace though I'd say Trent Alexander-Arnold coped much better with him that at Anfield late last season. Still, a good shift from Anthony before he was substituted. 7

Neal Maupay: After about 30 minutes, we thought he looked shattered and, with no match fitness, you could understand why. Though fair play to him for carrying on – he actually grew into the game. He should have scored one, was unlucky not to have assisted another, and generally showed handy tall-round play. He's good with his back to goal, which could be useful for holding the ball up. There's plenty to work on here, and it's good to have a striker on the pitch... even if he missed a sitter. As far as debuts go, that wasn't bad at all. 7

Substitutes:

Idrissa Gueye (for Tom Davies): Welcome back, Idrissa. He slotted in as if he's never been away. A great player. 8

Dwight McNeil (for Anthony Gordon): He didn't really get involved in the game but was disciplined defensively. 6

Paul Traill

Match Preview

The Goodison derby rolls around a little earlier than usual this year and it arrives with Everton having emerged from the summer’s transfer madness a little light up front and still looking for their first victory of the season.

Midfielders Idrissa Gueye and James Garner arrived on deadline day as the Toffees’ seventh and eighth signings, following Neal Maupay through the door after he was signed from Brighton & Hove Albion a week ago yet wasn’t eligible to play in either of the last two games.

The Frenchman is in line to make his Everton debut in the cauldron of the Merseyside grudge match and with those seven days of preparation with his new team-mates, he could go straight into the starting XI.

With Gueye’s switch from Paris Saint-Germain rumbling on for six weeks, the Senegal international hasn’t played any competitive football since the end of last season so his match sharpness may be a concern for Frank Lampard.

It could see Tom Davies rewarded for his recent form with another start as one of two Scousers likely to be involved for the Blues if, as is hoped, the manager persists with the three-man midfield that was so effective against Leeds United on Tuesday.

If he does, it will almost certainly mean an unchanged back line of Nathan Patterson, Conor Coady (facing his boyhood club), James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko while, up front, Dwight McNeil could be the one that makes way if Maupay is selected.

Having stumbled out of the traps by failing to win any of their first three games, Liverpool don’t have the same practically invincible air they carried last season when they crossed Stanley Park and tore Rafael Benitez’s two-man midfield to shreds in a 4-1 win.

Jürgen Klopp’s men have since hit their stride with a record-equalling 9-0 demolition of Bournemouth and a somewhat fortuitous victory over Newcastle in midweek but Lampard will no doubt be telling his charges that the reds can be got at with the right approach and attitude.

Klopp is likely to be without the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita but Darwin Nunez will be available for the first time since his sending off against Crystal Palace and the German still has more than enough quality on which to draw elsewhere in his side with new loan signing Arthur like to figure at some point.

With Goodison guaranteed to be up for it, Everton should have the atmosphere on which to thrive and at least make a good account of themselves, something they weren’t able to do in this fixture last season.

A victory from a game from which very little is expected would the perfect way to pick up the first three points of the season. Fingers crossed a Blue hero is in waiting ready to write his name into the history of this feisty fixture.

Kick-off: 12:30pm, Saturday 3 September, 2022
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Darren England
Last Time: Everton 1 - 4 Liverpool

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, Coady, Mykolenko, Davies, Onana, Iwobi, Gordon, Gray, Maupay

Lyndon Lloyd

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