Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo scores first Reds goal in win over toothless Everton

It took a while for Liverpool to realise there was nothing to be feared from Everton and to remember that a Merseyside derby at Anfield is an occasion for them to enjoy. But savour it they did once Mohamed Salah converted past an awol Jordan Pickford to send Jürgen Klopp’s team towards a comfortable first Premier League win of 2023 at the expense of their relegation-threatened rivals.

“Last trip to Anfield,’ taunted the Kop of their local rivals after Salah’s first-half opener and Cody Gakpo’s first goal since his £35m arrival from PSV Eindhoven brought Liverpool a comfortable victory in the 242nd Merseyside derby.

All 208 league editions of the most-played derby in English football have come in the top flight but whether there will be any more next season rests entirely on Sean Dyche’s ability to conjure a goalscoring threat out of Everton.

Without the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin the visitors had none, as has been the case for the majority of the season, and Liverpool were able to shake off their recent rust, recall what it took to outplay limited opposition, and ease to a necessary three points in their bid to revive aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League.

There was an urgency and clear intent to Liverpool’s performance from the off. It was not highly effective in breaking through Everton’s compact lines but represented a vast improvement in recent starts by Klopp’s team all the same.

The defensive lapses that contributed to their heavy defeat at Wolves last time out were still evident early on, however, with Joel Matip completely missing an attempted clearance from Dwight McNeil’s header. Matip’s error gave Ellis Simms an opportunity to take aim at Alisson’s goal but his attempt from 18 yards struck Joe