Four things seen in Liverpool vs Everton as Cody Gakpo keeps word and Jürgen Klopp proved right

Liverpool improved dramatically to win Everton 2-0 and Cody Gakpo opened his account for Jurgen Klopp’s side at the right time. That’s what we

A much improved performance was a low bar, but Liverpool cleared it with space. Coming into the Merseyside derby, Jurgen Klopp’s side looked much more like themselves and used their moments to find victory.

It was a high-stakes derby, albeit under unusual circumstances. Liverpool were looking to use points dropped from their rivals to revive their dim hopes of a Champions League place, while Everton were looking to climb out of the relegation zone and build some much-needed momentum under new manager Sean Dyche. Given all of that, it always felt like it could go down to small margins. Sure enough, Liverpool broke the deadlock just 18 seconds after a corner from which Everton hit the post, broke the pace and then took advantage of Jordan Pickford’s awkward decision to man Cody Gakpo to the back post rather than man-scoring. protect the door.

But in reality, that was a rare opening for Everton, and Liverpool seemed to systematically warm up to the visitors. A second goal shortly after the break more or less closed the game and brought home three precious points.

No fear for Bajcetic

Stefan Bajčetić has undoubtedly earned his place for this match. But commenting for Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher admitted he initially had doubts about the boy’s physicality in terms of managing the intensity of the derby.

That fear was quickly dispelled. Bajčetić shot in his first tackle early on and set the tone. Lui went through the entire game without committing a foul, but won the ball back numerous times, repeatedly clearing counter-attacks and putting Liverpool into attack.

But while it was his brilliance off the ball that really marked his performance as an adult, a few moments with the ball proved he certainly wasn’t lacking in confidence. The first was an ambitious half-volley from outside the box. Bajčetić actually controlled very well, even on goal, but it would go on to become one of the best goals ever in this legendary match.

The second one, which someone might have missed, really came out. It was a bold move over his head in the middle of the park; the ball was behind him, but his little improvisation kept it moving, giving Liverpool another break.

He’s really starting to look like the full package, and the way he’s approached this derby will make it even more difficult for Klopp to leave him any time soon. The coach recently said the youngster was “ready for it,” and he was emphatically right.

Robertson’s smile

Is there anything more fun than dismissing Jordan Pickford? Apparently not for Andy Robertson, at the center of the usual derby hotbed.

It all started with a lot of pressure, with a pass from Seamus Coleman enthusiastically knocked down like it was the first minute. Unfortunately for Robertson, he hit his hand and the whistle was blown. But as he ran, he saw fit to push the ball away from Pickford. Of course he couldn’t have heard the whistle…

A bit of playability, no doubt, but Pickford has the nerve to fuss about it. The latest purveyor of the dark arts, while not helping Everton much this season, reacted angrily to the incident. Robertson’s response? Laugh heartily in his face.

Execute a scrum that even involves the bank. While the official party line says no one wants to see it, in truth, it put the icing on the cake. He completed the Derby checklist.

Gakpo launches Van Dijk Celebration

There have been a million legitimate criticisms of Liverpool lately. As such, it is all the more ridiculous that Gakpo scapegoated himself in some circles.

The new acquisition has fallen into unfortunate circumstances, to say the least. Not only has he joined a struggling side, but he was apparently signed in the January transfer window instead of a midfielder, putting far more pressure on his head than he is.

Due to the absence of goals or assists in the first five games, he was therefore under premature pressure. But he had an answer for the critics in the best possible game, opening his Liverpool account against Everton. With this he imitated Virgil van Dijk. And he also copied his compatriot with his cheering, pulling off the signature ‘hand under the chin’ gesture to score his first goal for the club. Before the match, Gakpo had said he hoped to do “exactly the same thing” as his team-mate by scoring in the derby, and he did so with emphasis.

Liverpool fans are now hoping he can match Van Dijk’s impact on the club. Despite what some people would have you believe, there’s still plenty of time for him to do it. A mix of Matips

It was eight minutes that summed up Klopp’s dilemma.

Liverpool’s game plan could have been undone almost from the start when Joël Matip misjudged a pass and let Ellis Simms through on goal. It was the fault of a man with a huge lack of confidence.

Moments later, however, it was Matip who strode forward, deftly using the overlay as bait before feeding it to the Salah below. He provided Liverpool’s first big chance of the game. And all this before the 10 minute mark.

From then on, Matip was routinely in his place as a deep-lying attacking midfielder, using his past as a defensive midfielder to get in on the pitch, recycle second balls and keep Liverpool ahead. He was an obvious asset.

And that, in a nutshell, is the problem Matip is currently facing. He has committed a free kick in each of his last three league games, having made just two in the previous 104 (hats off to Andrew Beasley for that statistic). This provides much-needed context, but also paints a picture of a player more affected than most by the team’s overall slump. Nevertheless, he remains so dangerous offensively.

All in all, after running away with the error, Klopp will reflect positively on his decision to keep faith in Matip, who has bounced back to create safe defensive moments when needed, as well as his contributions going forward.