Curtis Jones turned in a terrific display for Liverpool(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
So continues the game of right-back roulette for Liverpool. With Joe Gomez having joined Conor Bradley on the sidelines and Jeremie Frimpong bench, here it landed on the turn of Curtis Jones to assume the responsibility.
Jones, of course, is no stranger to the task, and indeed featured in the position in the Anfield derby win last season.
A baying Hill Dickinson, though, is a completely different proposition. But at a time when Arne Slot needed it most, the one Scouser in his team delivered on derby day, defending doggedly both on the ground and in the air while positionally sound despite occasionally being targeted by Everton.
The ability of Jones to maintain possession in testing areas may have jangled some nerves among the Liverpool support, but it provided a welcome pressure valve for the Reds and allowed them to start attacks from deep.
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Arne Slot’s selection decision also paid off in that it released Dominik Szoboszlai to start in one of the two deeper midfield roles alongside Ryan Gravenberch.
The Hungary international was important in helping Liverpool move up the field quickly and provided much-needed physicality to help the visitors edge the important engine-room tussle.
And, of course, it was Szoboszlai’s corner delivery that invited Van Dijk to head the winner. He remains an influence no matter where on the pitch.
**Injury jinx continues**
Speaking afterwards deep within the bowels of Everton’s impressive new home, Slot couldn’t help but make a joke about Liverpool’s continued ill fortune with injuries.
“If you’re playing for the under-8s at Liverpool, then you should be ready for making your debut,” quipped the Reds boss.
Small wonder. With Alisson Becker already sidelined, Slot had to watch Giorgi Mamardashvili exit after sustaining a bad wound when attempting to keep out Beto’s equaliser.
Mamardashvili had proven his worth earlier with a superb save down low to repel a header from the same player as Everton started the stronger.
It was a big ask, then, for Freddie Woodman to step in for his first Premier League appearance since September 2021.
There was a routine stop from Iliman Ndiaye but, with Liverpool neutering the Everton threat, Woodman’s biggest test was dealing with two long, bouncing balls when his calm demeanour impressed.
Elsewhere in defence, Ibrahima Konate did well until the lazy marking that allowed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to assist the opener prompted a headloss that was only properly addressed during the closing exchanges.
Still, though, the centre-back deserves credit for sticking at it. It was the attitude of every Liverpool player here.
**Isak input required**
Approaching half-time emerged a statistic that confirmed what the naked eye had suspected. Alexander Isak had touched the ball just twice.
While it will be next season before Isak is anywhere near his best, needs must for Liverpool at present with the striker given a 72-minutes run-out here.
If the Sweden international is clearly way off in terms of fitness, there were signs immediately after half-time of what a fully-functioning Isak can offer with a few half-openings a sharper version would have transformed into full ones.
With Liverpool having no more midweek assignments, there will be a chance for Isak to at least continue building his physical shape and understanding with team-mates. It could make the difference in the battle for a top-five berth.
And Cody Gakpo, playing off the left, looked far more like last season’s purposeful player, particularly with the superb pass to assist Mohamed Salah’s opener.
Meanwhile, this victory in the 248th Merseyside derby continues one remarkable Premier League record for Liverpool, who have now won at 60 of the 62 different stadiums they have visited in the competition. No team has triumphed at more.