Liverpool emerged from their recent struggles to beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League (PL), maintaining the Reds’ record of just one home Merseyside Derby loss since the turn of the millennium.
The Toffees arrived at Anfield on a wave of optimism that had long been missing before their Sean Dyche-masterminded victory over Arsenal.
The manager made the call to hand Ellis Simms his second PL start in the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Joël Matip almost gifted the striker an early goal with a wild piece of defending, although Joe Gomez got across to save his centre-back partner’s blushes.
Liverpool and their big January signing Cody Gakpo entered the match in desperate need of their own lift, but the Dutchman couldn’t find the target with his header following Darwin Núñez’s acrobatic attempt.
Even with the Reds looking closer to the side Jürgen Klopp has spent so much time moulding, James Tarkowski came within a post’s width of heading Everton into the lead after toppling the Gunners last time out.
Instead, Anfield jubilantly celebrated the type of goal that embodies Klopp’s Liverpool, as a blistering counter was fronted by Núñez and finished by Mohamed Salah, who capitalised on Jordan Pickford’s poor positioning to end his five-game goal drought at the perfect time.
Just four minutes after the break, Everton were helpless bystanders again when Liverpool raced forward and Conor Coady’s indecision allowed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ball to find Gakpo, who tapped in at the back post for his first Reds goal.
The Reds looked imperious and an inspired Gakpo teed Núñez up for a shot that whistled agonisingly wide of the far post.
There was an added bonus as Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino both emerged from the bench to make their respective return from injury.
Having also been introduced from the bench, Tom Davies completely wasted a rare Toffees opportunity late on, as Liverpool comfortably secured their first PL win of 2023 to overtake fellow underachievers Chelsea and go ninth in the table.
Meanwhile, Everton have won just two of their last 27 PL away matches and remain in the relegation zone ahead of their six-pointer against Leeds United.
