Liverpool 1, Everton 1: First Thoughts

Liverpool 1 Salah 42’ Everton 1 Rooney 77’ (Penalty)

• Pre-match Thought: Oh god it’s early, and there’s snow and lots of changes to the lineup but here we are for the first of three Derbies this year!
• Three minutes in and Liverpool have already given away a free kick but this is Everton so it turned into nothing, unsurprisingly.
• Among the changes are Andy Robertson in for the injured Alberto Moreno, and Dominic Solanke and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho are rested and appearing on the bench (for the time being).
• You guys, I love weather games. I know they’re not great for the players but oh my god they are great to watch. SNOW. THERE’S SNOW. And a surprising lack of long sleeves.
• Case in point, we’ve already had Sadio Mané slip in the box because of the weird, wet pitch and it’s only ten minutes in. I know this rivalry is serious, but every weather game needs the Benny Hill theme.
• There’s been plenty of chances today as Liverpool have gotten into the box at least three times by now but Everton have done well to throw everything at us to stop a goal. They’ll come though, eventually. Hopefully.
• To be fair, Andy Robertson looks like the kind of defender that knows how to get forward effectively that Alberto Moreno wanted to be two years ago. He’s been pretty instrumental in every goal scoring opportunity Liverpool have had so far, but also covering his space well.
• I wouldn’t say Everton are parking the bus but they definitely have to pack around every attacking player to stop the ball from moving in the box.
• 25 minutes in and Liverpool have almost 200 passes whereas Everton have barely 50. This is definitely Liverpool’s game to give away, if they don’t figure out a way to score.
• This half is going to end goalless isn’t it. It probably is. At least that means there might be two additions at the top of the second half.
• I STAND CORRECTED! GOAL! Mo Salah with a gorgeous turn just outside the box and fires off a rocket to put the Reds ahead at 42 minutes.
• Halftime: What was hopefully another rout has turned into Liverpool with all the possession and little to show for it. There’s a whole other half to play and two other goal scorers yet to come on from the bench.
• No changes for Liverpool in the second half because at least we’re up but Everton put on Aaron Lennon and Morgan Schneiderlin to make some kind of an effort I guess.
• Liverpool have 13 SHOTS whereas Everton have.... 1. This comes off the back of a spectacular miss by Mo Salah, eager to add to his goal tally.
• ALMOST! Liverpool win a free kick just outside the box (Coutinho’s sweet spot) and we ALMOST have a Joe Gomez goal but it goes just wide.
• The fact that Sadio Mané has yet to score is a TRAVESTY. Merry Christmas, Everton.
• And that’s the end of Mo Salah’s day, with the winger coming off for Roberto Firmino around 66 minutes as Klopp’s first change. Maybe only change. (Can you feel my side-eye?)
• And in the greatest injustice of the game, Dominic Calvert-Lewin flops in the box after a nudge from Dejan Lovren and wins Everton a penalty.
• Goal. Wayne Rooney converts from the spot and equalizes for the visitors.
• At least Coutinho has come on for Oxlade-Chamberlain, the latter having had a fantastic start and deserving the rest.
• OH MY GOD IT’S A WILD DANNY INGS COMING ON FOR DOMINC SOLANKE. OH MY GOD.
• Jordan Pickford maybe just made the save of his life as Philippe Coutinho tried to do what he does with a free kick but the Everton keeper easily kept it from finding that perfect top corner finish.
• Four minutes of added time, just enough for Liverpool to (knock on wood) put another away.
• Nevermind.
• Final Whistle: What started as optimistic devolved into a worthless draw. At least it’s not a loss and it appears that Jürgen is fighting the referees for all of us but man.

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.