Everton at Liverpool: FA Cup Derby Instant Reaction

Jurgen Klopp chose to rest most of his starters for this Merseyside Derby clash, playing a combination of his second- and third-string sides for the FA Cup Third Round clash. Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile decided that he would continue to put out his best XI that was not in the physio’s room.

The Everton manager’s decision seemed to be vindicated too with the Blues looking lively in the first half hour, creating a number of chances. First Theo Walcott broke in behind the backline from a Gylfi Sigurdsson deep ball and a subsequent Dominic Calvert-Lewin shot was straight at Adrian. Then from another Sigurdsson cross Mason Holgate headed straight at the goalie. Soon after Richarlison had a great shot from near the penalty spot from a Walcott cutback, again straight at Adrian.

The two sides went into the break tied at 0-0 with the visitors having had the better of the chances while the hosts held their own playing the same brand of football they usually do under Klopp.

However in the second half it looked like Everton failed to leave the dressing room while the Reds only grew in strength. Still there were no premium chances being created while Liverpool crept up on the shot count and eventually overhauled the Blues when disaster struck.

Curtis Jones was set up by Divock Origi outside the box, and he curled in a worldie over Jordan Pickford and in off the underside of the crossbar.

Carlo Ancelotti’s subs - Fabian Delph, Moise Kean and Bernard were all ineffective and only served to create more confusion in the side. The truth is the missed chances in the first half put paid to any chance of winning this game as fatigue finally wore them down from this busy holiday period.