Everton fell to a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the first ever Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
A frenetic game saw the Reds edge the contest at HDS, with Virgil van Dijk heading in a late winner after goals from Mo Salah and Beto.
Everton started so well, and thought they’d taken the lead through Iliman Ndiaye, only for it to be chalked off for offside.
Liverpool then scored through Salah to rather stun the hosts.
What went wrong there for Everton? 😫
Heartbreak for the Blues in the derby
Beto of Everton leaves the pitch due to a injury during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
But in the second-half, the Toffees got back on level terms through Beto, who put in a serious shift up top.
He was set up by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who is now up to 11 goal contributions for the season so far.
Unfortunately Everton failed to show enough quality in the second-half, and actually suffered when Beto went off after a clash of heads with Ibrahima Konate.
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Dewsbury-Hall was unlucky to be on the losing side, and certainly, he proved Jamie Carragher’s pre-match verdict right.
Jamie Carragher lauds Everton ‘revelation’ Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the ball for Everton.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Dewsbury-Hall has been such an influential figure for Everton this term, in his first season after joining from Chelsea.
And he was at it again against Liverpool, being a constant threat as Everton’s most advanced midfielder.
He did brilliantly to collect the long pass in the build-up to the equaliser, and then put the ball into the danger zone for Beto to tap home.
It was just the latest top performance from Dewsbury-Hall, who was praised by Jamie Carragher just before kick-off on Sky Sports.
And the pundit feels Dewsbury-Hall has really outshone Liverpool’s own Florian Wirtz.
He said on Sky: “He’s been a massive part of Everton. When they brought him in, I was actually trying to work out how Everton would fit the players in, with Grealish there and Ndiaye’s at the club as well.
“I was thinking he might play a little bit deeper. When I saw him in the number 10 role I was surprised a little bit. Maybe I hadn’t seen enough of him at his previous clubs.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall embraces Beto.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
“But he’s been a revelation. And when you think today with the two number 10s, who’d have thought that Dewsbury-Hall would be having a much better season than Florian Wirtz. But that is definitely the case.
“You think of the vital goal he got at Brentford to get Everton a point. Liverpool need a lot more from Wirtz and certainly when you think of what Dewsbury-Hall’s done, he’s done exactly what you want from a player in that number 10 position.”
Wirtz has faced major criticism since his £116 million transfer last summer. He’s scored just four goals and made four assists in the Premier League so far, so less involvements than Dewsbury-Hall (seven goals, six assists).
Dewsbury-Hall may be signing of the season
There’s no question Dewsbury-Hall has been Everton’s best signing this season.
But at this stage, there is a case for Dewsbury-Hall being the best signing made by any Premier League club this term, such has been his impact.
Who was your Man of the Match from that Merseyside Derby loss? 😬
There were some solid displays out there despite the result… 💪
Everton v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
He seems to have an influence every game he plays these days. Even if he isn’t scoring or assisting, he is working his socks off out of possession.
To have a midfielder with a complete game like he does is a rare thing, and Everton are really lucky to have someone like him in their team.
That they spent just £28 million to sign him looks more and more remarkable by the week.
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