Liverpool head coach Arne Slot claimed a second successive win in the Premier League by beating Everton in the Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson on Sunday.
The Dutch boss had to deal with his second-choice goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili going off injured in the second half, having been caught as Beto scored the equaliser.Experienced EFL shot-stopper Freddie Woodman came on to make his debut for the Reds between the sticks, and had little to do before Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal.
konate-van-dijk-liverpool
It was the Liverpool veterans who delivered for Slot, with Mohamed Salah and van Dijk scoring the goals, and that should be expected because they have been there and done it so many times.There was a first away derby, though, for £116m signing Florian Wirtz, and he deserves credit for how he handled himself in the game at the weekend.
Why Florian Wirtz deserves credit for his Liverpool performance against Everton
Given the money that was spent on his signature last summer, it is fair to say that the Germany international's output has been disappointing for the Reds.
salah-wirtz-liverpool
Wirtz has only produced six goals and eight assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, and may end the season without hitting double figures for goals or assists.
Against Everton, though, the German playmaker did not need to deliver a goal or an assist to have an impact on the game, as his all-round play helped the team.
Vs Everton Florian Wirtz
Minutes 84
Pass accuracy 87%
Key passes 4
xA 0.25
Touches 62
Carries 16
Wirtz was constantly available for his teammates to pass to, taking 62 touches in total, and showed some creativity at times, registering four key passes, and that made him a reliable outlet for Liverpool in possession.He may not have assisted or scored either of the two goals, but his composure and technical quality on the ball helped the Reds to evade Everton pressure at times.
Liverpool forward who is a bigger disappointment than Florian Wirtz
Because Wirtz still contributed to the team's success and did a lot of good work throughout the game, there was another Liverpool player who was an even bigger disappointment.
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz
Alexander Isak was given his first start in the Premier League since December and failed to make the most of his opportunity to impress in the centre-forward position.He very much looked like a player who has not played much football recently due to his injury issues, as his performance left far too much to be desired against the Toffees.
Vs Everton Alexander Isak
Minutes 72
Shots 1
Key passes 0
Big chances created 0
Dribbles completed 0/1
Passes made 3/5
Ground duels won 0/3
Aerial duels won 1/4
The Sweden international, signed from Newcastle for £125m last summer, came off the pitch after 72 minutes with only three made passes and zero chances created for his side.Wirtz had 53 more touches than the striker (nine) and was far more involved in the match for Liverpool, which is why he was more effective and lasted longer before being substituted.
alexander-isak-liverpool
Isak did not look ready for the physicality of a derby game, losing six of his seven duels, as Jarred Branthwaite and James Tarkowski got the better of him far too easily on the ground and in the air.His blank against the Toffees also means that the former Magpies marksman has only scored three goals and provided one assist in 20 appearances in all competitions this season, an even worse return than Wirtz has managed as an attacking midfielder.
Isak has been an even bigger disappointment than Wirtz across the campaign because of his lack of output in the final third, as well as his dismal performance against Everton on Sunday.
alex-isak-liverpool-everton
The injury issues have been a mitigating factor for the former Newcastle striker, but a return of three goals in 20 appearances when fit and available is far from good enough for a player signed for a club-record £125m transfer fee.Slot, therefore, should drop Isak from the starting line-up until he is ready to start games and be impactful, which is why Cody Gakpo or Salah should lead the line in the meantime, as Liverpool aim to secure Champions League football for next season.
Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates after winning the Premier League Related
[Liverpool's new Trent: FSG prepare record deal for "generational talent"](https://www.footballfancast.com/liverpool-new-trent-fsg-prepare-record-deal-for-adam-wharton/ "Liverpool's new Trent: FSG prepare record deal for "generational talent"")
Liverpool's creative quality has regressed in the absence of their homegrown superstar. Who'da thought?