Everton’s midfield reticence gifts Virgil van Dijk man of the match

The Merseyside derby saw Liverpool head to windy Goodison Park. The result was an end-to-end goalless draw. The match left Everton fans delighted as they put a dent in Liverpool’s title chase against Manchester City. Despite the joy of the draw, this fixture set up perfectly for Everton to steal the win over their fierce rivals.

Liverpool were uncharacteristically lacking in the final third. Unfortunately for Everton, their tactical strategy all but gifted Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk the man of the match award. For the blue half of Merseyside, the match was real missed opportunity. This tactical analysis will look at Everton’s attacking tactics using statistics to show how their lack of buildup through the midfield enabled Liverpool’s best defender to dominate the match.

Lineups

Liverpool set out in a 4-3-3 formation with Alisson in goal. Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk anchored the back line with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson either side of them. Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldrum were the midfield trio. Divock Origi got the start on the right with Sadio Mane central and Mohamed Salah on the left.

Everton countered with a 4-2-3-1 alignment. Lucas Digne, Kurt Zouma, Michael Keane, and Seamus Coleman made up the back line in front of Jordan Pickford. Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye paired centrally in midfield with Gylfi Sigurdsson in front of them. Bernard was wide on the left and Theo Walcott wide right, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top.

Liverpool in the final third

Liverpool entered and exited the game with 64 goals scored this season, but the lack of goalscoring was not due to a lack of chances. Liverpool were their normal selves getting into the attacking third with urgency, pace, and numbers.

Once there however, Liverpool was not themselves at all. Salah, in particular, had a rough night of missed touches and soft chances straight to the keeper. Liverpool’s uncharacteristic misfiring in the final third made them ripe for a Merseyside derby upset.