Salah shines as Liverpool outclass Everton in Merseyside derby

A hard-fought Merseyside derby was just what was required on a cold December evening, even if the result has left Everton supporters feeling yet more Merseyside misery at the hands of their fierce rivals, Liverpool.

After the disastrous defeat to Brentford on Sunday, the Goodison Park faithful was using its noticeable voice to encourage their players rather than abuse them, yet it took the Reds almost no time at all to send some disgruntled Everton fans to the exit doors.

In just the ninth minute of play Jordan Henderson curled a perfect left-footed shot into the back of Jordan Pickford's net, and in truth it wasn't the first goalscoring chance the visitors had.

An early miscommunication between England's first-choice goalkeeper and Seamus Coleman almost gave Sadio Mane an open net to slide the ball into, but the bounce went against the Senegalese international.

Ten minutes later and it was 2-0 to Liverpool, with some rank-awful Everton defending allowing Mohamed Salah a one-on-one against Pickford, and he duly placed the ball into the upper right side of the net, prompting mass boos from the home crowd.

Jurgen Klopp has previous bemoaned his team's lack of focus at certain times this season and it befell the Reds once more after 38 minutes.

A poorly defended long throw saw Demarai Gray break through beyond the Liverpool backline, and he sidefooted his shot through the legs of Alisson Becker and into the net.

Everton felt they were back in the match courtesy of Gray's strike, and the second half actually began with the Blues playing on the front foot.

Winning a number of set pieces had forced Liverpool to focus on defending for the first time on Wednesday, yet it was this attacking which would lead to the Reds' third goal.

A poorly taken corner was cleared to near the half-way line, with Gray attempting a first-time backpass to Coleman.

It was an awkward height for Coleman and he failed to bring the ball under control, and Salah nipped in, running the length of the Everton half before poking the ball delicately beyond Pickford, sparking scenes of joy in the away section.

The match threatened to get embarrassing 12 minutes from the end with Diogo Jota turning Allan with a sensational piece of skill inside the penalty box, before firing the ball into the roof of the net beyond Pickford at his near post.

Victory keeps Liverpool close to Manchester City and Chelsea in the Premier League title race, whilst Everton are now facing a very bleak winter.

Just five points above the drop zone, Benitez's charges look bereft of confidence and they have to play Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Chelsea in their next three matches.

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