With minds focused elsewhere, and a team selection that suggested those who thought so were not just fans, Liverpool fought (and often times defended their way) to a goalless draw and one point earned at Goodison Park. The point maintains Liverpool's spot in third, but Tottenham have two games in hand and a win today over Stoke will draw them level on points. In the context of top four, Chelsea are now eleven points back but they too have two games in hand and will play West Ham on Sunday.
Game Story:
A dull first half saw they key chances: the first from Dominic Solanke. Dominic Solanke was in the perfect position off a deflection and a point blank shot in the 15th was on target, but Everton keeper Jordan Pickford was alert to the situation and made a save. Then was Everton's turn to get the chance as Yannick Bolasie took a touch, struck with his right foot, but his shot was met by the fingertips of Loris Karius who made a stellar save that may have been crucial in denying Liverpool all three points. The final of the key chances was from the boot of James Milner in the 29th who made a nice run down the left and was given space. But a curling effort was yet again saved by Pickford.
The second half saw few chances, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a nice attempt whisk over the crossbar in the 69th, but in terms of Liverpool chances this was about it. It was all Everton for about the last 15 minutes. A Leighton Baines cross could not find Cenk Tosun, then it was Theo Walcott losing his footing and slipping on the wet pitch while in outstanding positioning, then perhaps the best chance of the game coming off a Walcott cross to Tosun who guided an effort wide and Seamus Coleman could not land a touch.
Neither manager will likely be furious at this result. Outside of the last 15 minutes, Everton positioned themselves in a way that implied their willingness to see the game out at 0-0. Liverpool escaped the game without any injuries and with all key pieces playing a role in the game. Without Mo Salah and Andy Robertson starting, and with Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Trent Alexander-Arnold only featuring, the game set itself up well for Liverpool to get everyone who will likely be involved in the second leg of the UCL quarterfinals at least a little time to play.
How Did This Happen:
Neither team seemed fully committed to pushing massive amounts of players up the pitch. Ragnar Klavan spent most of the time in the left-back role and Everton were willing to give him space almost daring him to make an attacking move on them. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Clyne made his season debut on the right side and pushed forward as well, but once Dominic Calvert-Lewin was subbed on for Bolasie, the freedom of the right flank was rather limited and Calvert-Lewin closed down nicely as it could be argued that he was Everton's man of the match. Players like Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke got starts and Solanke got all 90 minutes while Ings was subbed off for strategic reasons in the 89th. The 90 (or near-90) minutes will do good for the two back-up strikers as, while neither man saw many chances, both were at or around the goal and leading the press all game.
One of the more interesting things to look at in the game was the use of the midfield by manager Klopp throughout the game. With Henderson out for Tuesday's leg due to suspension, Gini Wijnaldum was given what amounted to a trial run in the more holding role of the three man midfield. Wijnaldum has had the strength of recycling possession and has been a trait that has infuriated some Reds fans for his seeming refusal to be more adventurous or daring with his attacking positioning. However, this was the game that allowed these perceived annoyances to play to his advantage as he controlled the midfield well for the better part of the game, however Everton's pressing attack highlighted general worries certainly for Reds fans and the coaching staff will have until Tuesday to iron these out.
What's Next:
The hotly anticipated second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals with Manchester City at the Etihad awaits Liverpool. Salah and Robertson both being held out of the derby may draw concern for some fans, but playing them had the higher potential for bad than good it would appear. The return of Clyne also gave him a full game back and, if Klopp so chooses, he could turn back to the England international despite Alexander-Arnold's career performance last leg. Certainly this game has give Pep Guardiola plenty to think about for the second leg despite the lackluster scoreline. The midfield that is likely to play was not on the pitch at the same time (Milner came off for Oxlade-Chamberlain) and surely that was not out of coincidence. Eyes for the weekend turn now to Manchester to see what kind of team is fielded by City in an attempt to win the title, and what to potentially expect on Tuesday.
Of course, the league implications cannot be overlooked. In the worst case scenario, Chelsea will be down eight points with a game in hand at the end of the weekend. Liverpool return to Anfield next Saturday in the Premier League as they take on Bournemouth in a game where three points seems rather important to pick up if they would like to continue to have the pole position on Chelsea in their race. But for now, no eyes will be looking ahead to that. From now until Tuesday, all eyes are focused on Manchester.
Game Story:
A dull first half saw they key chances: the first from Dominic Solanke. Dominic Solanke was in the perfect position off a deflection and a point blank shot in the 15th was on target, but Everton keeper Jordan Pickford was alert to the situation and made a save. Then was Everton's turn to get the chance as Yannick Bolasie took a touch, struck with his right foot, but his shot was met by the fingertips of Loris Karius who made a stellar save that may have been crucial in denying Liverpool all three points. The final of the key chances was from the boot of James Milner in the 29th who made a nice run down the left and was given space. But a curling effort was yet again saved by Pickford.
The second half saw few chances, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a nice attempt whisk over the crossbar in the 69th, but in terms of Liverpool chances this was about it. It was all Everton for about the last 15 minutes. A Leighton Baines cross could not find Cenk Tosun, then it was Theo Walcott losing his footing and slipping on the wet pitch while in outstanding positioning, then perhaps the best chance of the game coming off a Walcott cross to Tosun who guided an effort wide and Seamus Coleman could not land a touch.
Neither manager will likely be furious at this result. Outside of the last 15 minutes, Everton positioned themselves in a way that implied their willingness to see the game out at 0-0. Liverpool escaped the game without any injuries and with all key pieces playing a role in the game. Without Mo Salah and Andy Robertson starting, and with Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Trent Alexander-Arnold only featuring, the game set itself up well for Liverpool to get everyone who will likely be involved in the second leg of the UCL quarterfinals at least a little time to play.
How Did This Happen:
Neither team seemed fully committed to pushing massive amounts of players up the pitch. Ragnar Klavan spent most of the time in the left-back role and Everton were willing to give him space almost daring him to make an attacking move on them. Meanwhile, Nathaniel Clyne made his season debut on the right side and pushed forward as well, but once Dominic Calvert-Lewin was subbed on for Bolasie, the freedom of the right flank was rather limited and Calvert-Lewin closed down nicely as it could be argued that he was Everton's man of the match. Players like Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke got starts and Solanke got all 90 minutes while Ings was subbed off for strategic reasons in the 89th. The 90 (or near-90) minutes will do good for the two back-up strikers as, while neither man saw many chances, both were at or around the goal and leading the press all game.
One of the more interesting things to look at in the game was the use of the midfield by manager Klopp throughout the game. With Henderson out for Tuesday's leg due to suspension, Gini Wijnaldum was given what amounted to a trial run in the more holding role of the three man midfield. Wijnaldum has had the strength of recycling possession and has been a trait that has infuriated some Reds fans for his seeming refusal to be more adventurous or daring with his attacking positioning. However, this was the game that allowed these perceived annoyances to play to his advantage as he controlled the midfield well for the better part of the game, however Everton's pressing attack highlighted general worries certainly for Reds fans and the coaching staff will have until Tuesday to iron these out.
What's Next:
The hotly anticipated second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals with Manchester City at the Etihad awaits Liverpool. Salah and Robertson both being held out of the derby may draw concern for some fans, but playing them had the higher potential for bad than good it would appear. The return of Clyne also gave him a full game back and, if Klopp so chooses, he could turn back to the England international despite Alexander-Arnold's career performance last leg. Certainly this game has give Pep Guardiola plenty to think about for the second leg despite the lackluster scoreline. The midfield that is likely to play was not on the pitch at the same time (Milner came off for Oxlade-Chamberlain) and surely that was not out of coincidence. Eyes for the weekend turn now to Manchester to see what kind of team is fielded by City in an attempt to win the title, and what to potentially expect on Tuesday.
Of course, the league implications cannot be overlooked. In the worst case scenario, Chelsea will be down eight points with a game in hand at the end of the weekend. Liverpool return to Anfield next Saturday in the Premier League as they take on Bournemouth in a game where three points seems rather important to pick up if they would like to continue to have the pole position on Chelsea in their race. But for now, no eyes will be looking ahead to that. From now until Tuesday, all eyes are focused on Manchester.
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