Liverpool struggle at Everton without Thiago influence from deep

Sometimes stats only tell half the story, even in a 0-0 draw.

Man-of-the-match Jordan Pickford made eight saves as he helped deny Liverpool another victory in this stuttering start to the new season at Goodison on Saturday, the most he has made in a league fixture when he hasn’t conceded.

Despite having 23 shots in the match, it was the first time Liverpool had not scored in a game in the calendar year of 2022 – a run of 25 matches.

They hit the woodwork three times and peppered the Everton goal until the last second but, in truth, all was not well in the Liverpool unit - not for the first time this season – with a key cog that steered the Scouse juggernaut to near-immortality last term missing in action. They simply do not look the same imposing proposition without Thiago Alcantara.

The atmosphere around Goodison Park was feral ahead of kick off, with that common English derby sound of a police helicopter whirling overhead prevalent.

Despite their imposing 12-year unbeaten run at Goodison, however, it was Liverpool who struggled to cope with the feisty atmosphere.

For all their possession and wealth of attacking talent on the pitch, a week after plundering nine goals at home, they just looked shorn of ideas.

Darwin Nunez’s improvised effort that came out off the post was purely about individual brilliance, as was the follow-up strike from Luis Diaz.

Their efforts at goal in the second half after the break came from set pieces, snap shots from the edge of the box or poor Everton defending.

Undisputed number one.