Everton vs Liverpool : 5 talking points

Another spectacular Premier League Campaign and yet another scintillating Merseyside Derby. Everton and Liverpool shared the spoils today at Goodison Park with the final score 1-1. But the scoreline does little to account for a heated and passionate encounter between the two sides.

Liverpool opened the scoring with Danny Ings heading away an in-swinging  corner, his second of the season. But the joy diddn’t last for too long as Romelu Lukaku scored just after 5 minutes with Can committing an error near the post.

Let’s take a look at the 5 talking points from the game.

1.  Goalkeeper show

All said and done this exciting derby’s result should have lived up to the team performances in terms of goals. A major reason for why the scoreline wasn’t as exciting as the match was the splendid performance put in by both the goalkeepers. First it was Mignolet with two crucial saves to stop Everton from running away with the game. And then fantastic play from Coutinho forced two brilliant saves from Tim Howard. If it weren’t for these two, the result would have been different altogether.

2.  Classic Merseyside Derby

This Derby had so many similarities with what you can call an ideal Merseyside Derby with both teams going for the win irrespective of whether they are evenly matched on the paper or not. Blistering pace on both ends with a host of chances created and Liverpool going home with something. Football fans in general crave for such encounters as the emotions and passion of the fans propel them to perform right to their limits. Not so unexpected turn of events also saw Brendan Rodgers being sacked a few hours after the game.

3.  Final nail in the coffin for Rodgers

A few years after today, Brendan Rodgers would definitely reflect on his last game as Liverpool manager as an exciting encounter. Finally to all the Scousers’ relief Rodgers was relieved of all his duties from the club. Before this draw, Brendan Rodgers could only accumulate 3 wins from 8 matches in the Premier League this season and are still winless in the Europa League. Liverpool fans would be hoping that the club ropes in a more experienced manager this time.

4.  Man of the match – Romelu Lukaku

50 touches, 7.76 km covered, 5 attempts on goal and his 5th premier league goal against Liverpool, Romelu Lukaku has lived up to his repute of being the difference in big games like these. Liverpool found it increasingly difficult to deal with the pace, strength and ability that Lukaku brought to the Everton frontline. He has done a great deal to justify his £28 million price tag today and has still got an awful lot of time on his side to establish himself as one of the best in England.

5. How things stand

With this draw, Everton are now in 7th spot, a point above their neighbors.

As for Liverpool, they fall to 10th place. They still have a lot of time to turn their situation around and will be looking to bring in a new manager as soon as possible to give them just that.