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By LEWIS STEELE Published: 08: 16 AEDT, 3 April 2025 | Updated: 11: 17 AEDT, 3 April 2025 17 View comments Liverpool took another step closer to their second Premier League title on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby. The Toffees frustrated Arne Slot's side for the duration of the first half and nearly took the lead when Beto rattled the woodwork, heading in level at the break. But Liverpool found a way through Diogo Jota just before the hour mark and put in a solid defensive display to avoid a repeat of the last Merseyside derby in February, when James Tarkowski equalised at the death to claim a 2-2 draw. Mail Sport's LEWIS STEELE was at Anfield to assess the players' performances after another crucial win for Liverpool. LIVERPOOL (4-3-3) Caoimhin Kelleher - 6. 5 Big night for the Irishman with Alisson not cleared to play in line with concussion protocols. Made himself big and put Beto off for the one-versus-one in the first half. Diogo Jota (right) inspired Liverpool to a 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday Beto missed a huge chance to give Everton the lead but hit the woodwork in the first half The victory takes Arne Slot's Liverpool side a step close to their second Premier League title Curtis Jones - 7 A Scouser at right back after all! Jones put in a wonderful display, often bombing forward and starting attacks. Ibrahima Konate - 6 Tough night up against the lanky presence of Beto. Virgil van Dijk - 5. 5 Beaten too easily by Beto a couple of times in the first half but was seen barking orders at his team-mates in an even more regular pattern than usual. Andy Robertson - 7 Some big challenges in the first half showed the Scotsman relished his Derby experience. Would have wanted to do more in an attacking sense but a good performance. Ryan Gravenberch - 7. 5 Has been criticised in the last few weeks for the first time this season. But this was Gravenberch back to his very best. Always available for the ball and did an important job defensively, too. Alexis Mac Allister - 7 Often praised for his work on the ball but most pleasing here was his contributions off it, with some meaty challenges and interceptions. Mohamed Salah - 7 Was at the centre of everything good for Liverpool but just lacked that final pass or shot. It was a big night for Caoimhin Kelleher (above), who delivered after Alisson was ruled out Ryan Gravenberch was back to his best in midfield after a wealth of criticism in recent weeks Mohamed Salah was at the centre of everything good for Liverpool but lacked the final product Dominik Szoboszlai - 6. 5 A livewire and energetic presence as always who never stops running and trying to cajole the Kop. Luis Diaz - 6. 5 Was a danger all evening with some slaloming runs but perhaps lacked the final ball. Diogo Jota - 7. 5 MOTM Ended a dry spell of 10 club matches with a prolific strike after shimmying past some attempted challenges. That is why many think he is Liverpool’s best finisher. Substitutes Darwin Nunez (for Jota, 75min) - 6 (Booked) Cody Gakpo (for Diaz, 85) Wataru Endo (for Salah, 90+2) Subs not used: Jaros, Endo, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Mc Connell, Quansah. Manager Arne Slot - 6 Cut a frustrated figure for the best part of an hour but put faith in the XI he has been loyal too and, in the end, they repaid him. Dominik Szoboszlai was a livewire at Anfield and gave Liverpool plenty of energy in midfield Jota ended his goal drought with a superb finish and was Liverpool's best player on the night Luis Diaz was a danger all evening for Liverpool with a handful of impressive, slaloming runs EVERTON (4-2-3-1) Jordan Pickford - 6. 5 Had little to do in the first half bar some regulation stops from shots straight at him. Could do little about Jota’s goal. Jake O’Brien - 6 Is loving every minute of this run in the team and did a good job against the tricky Diaz. James Tarkowski - 7. 5 (Booked) Could have easily been sent off for a thumping tackle on Mac Allister. Made some warrior-like interventions otherwise, though, in a stellar display. Jarrad Branthwaite - 7. 5 Made some important blocks such as one on Jota after 11 minutes and a brave header to prevent a Salah rebound just after the break. Vitalii Mykolenko - 6 Kept Salah largely quiet throughout. Could not get forward enough. Idrissa Gana Gueye - 6. 5 Buzzed around and put in an important shift on and off the ball. Liverpool’s midfield often was second to loose balls. Despite keeping Mohamed Salah largely quiet, Vitalii Mykolenko could not get forward enough James Tarkowski was fortunate not to be sent off after his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister Idrissa Gana Gueye buzzed around and put in an important shift on and off the ball for Everton James Garner - 6 Has both silk and steel and is an integral member to Moyes’s midfield. Jack Harrison - 4. 5 A wasteful, frustrating night. Would have wanted to do better with several counter-attacks that he led. Abdoulaye Doucoure - 5. 5 Could have done better just after the break when he had the ball in the penalty area. Linked up well with Beto. Carlos Alcaraz - 6 Some nice runs on the left wing but did not have his usual creative impact on the game. Beto - 6. 5 (Booked) If he packed his shooting boots he could’ve had a hat-trick. Biggest chance of the first half was squandered when he went through on goal but hit the post. Had the better of Van Dijk. Unfortunately for Everton, Carlos Alcaraz did not have his usual creative impact on the game Winger Jack Harrison endured a wasteful and frustrating night on the flanks for the Toffees Substitutes Iliman Ndiaye (for Harrison, 69) - 6 Armando Broja (for Beto, 78) Tim Iroegbunam (for Garner, 78) Ashley Young (for Alcaraz, 78) Subs not used: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, Chermiti, Coleman. Manager David Moyes - 6 Would have been celebrating a famous victory perhaps if Beto could finish better in the first half. His team were set up well but ultimately undone by one moment of class from Jota.
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