OPINION
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by fierce rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday and Jurgen Klopp’s side’s title challenge took a hit.
The Reds missed the chance to return to the head of the Premier League table and for the first time in months they must now take up the role of hunter rather than the hunted.
The German will be pleased with the performances of some of his players, but left rather underwhelmed by the showings of other Reds stars.
As usual there is plenty to be taken from the game, and This is Futbol has rounded up three things that can be learned from Liverpool’s derby day draw with Everton.
Shaqiri must have done something to annoy Klopp
Earlier this season summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri was heralded as the player Liverpool needed, the playmaker capable of making the difference in tight games and unlocking packed defences.
However, he hasn’t even had the chance to demonstrate that ability lately. The Switzerland international has been bereft of significant first team opportunities and didn’t even make it off the bench in a game Liverpool desperately needed to win on Sunday.
His dramatic fall from grace must have supporters wondering what the former Stoke City man did to annoy Klopp, because that’s the only viable reason why the German wouldn’t bring on one of his most creative players in a game crying out for a bit of flair.
Salah struggles continue
It’s not been the finest run of games of late from Reds talisman Mohamed Salah. The Egypt international will always be an automatic selection for Klopp, but you have to wonder if the German is beginning to become concerned with his prized attacker.
This was another afternoon fraught with struggle for the former Roma man. He simply couldn’t get anything going and was guilty of both surrendering possession cheaply and missing a number of decent chances.
He’s not having a bad season by any means, but there’s no doubt that this isn’t quite the same player who was tearing up the Premier League on his way to a Player of the Year award last season.
Van Dijk imperious once again
What more is there to be said about Virgil van Dijk that hasn’t already been expressed a million times over? The man has been an absolute revelation at the heart of the Liverpool defence ever since joining just over a year ago.
This was yet another stellar performance from the Dutchman. The Toffees never truly looked like scoring on Sunday and the bulk of the credit for that must go to Van Dijk.
The former Southampton man produced a display full of class and composure as the bossed the Everton attack with monumental ease. He really is redefining what it means to be a top class centre half.
