Liverpool rests stars, attracts Everton in Merseyside Derby

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Everton squandered a few late chances in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Goodison Park in the last Merseyside Derby of the season. (Reuters)

Everton squandered a number of late possibilities in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Goodison Park within the final Merseyside Derby of the season. (Reuters)

Jurgen Klopp had no good motive to play his first-choice beginning 11 on Saturday at Goodison Park. It’s subsequently ridiculous to criticize him for fielding a weakened group in a sport that might be forgotten a month from now.

However for many who watched the ultimate Merseyside Derby of the 2017-18 season, it’s OK to rue Klopp’s resolution. As a result of it made for one of many worst matches between Everton and Liverpool in years.

It obtained Liverpool an appropriate level, one which took it 11 factors away from fifth-place Chelsea. Extra importantly, it stored a number of vital gamers contemporary, and all wholesome, for Tuesday’s Champions League second leg in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.

However as a spectacle, it was disappointing. It was 0-0, and possibly deserved to be. Everton threatened late, however for most of the 90 minutes, high quality was missing.

Probably the most attention-grabbing growth was that Klopp began Giorginio Wijnaldum in Jordan Henderson’s holding midfield function, with Henderson on the proper of the midfield three. That was doubtless preparation for the second Metropolis match, for which Henderson is suspended.

However Mohamed Salah, who picked up a minor groin harm in Wednesday 3-0 first-leg victory, was rested. So had been Roberto Firmino till the 74th minute and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain till the 68th. So had been fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.

Klopp, maybe surprisingly, nonetheless performed his beginning goalkeeper and heart again pairing 90 minutes. He nonetheless performed James Milner and Sadio Mane. The one cheap criticism, really, is that he did play these first-teamers, not that he rested others.

However in the long run, the day was successful for Liverpool. It was nondescript for Everton, which is directionless in the mean time, and which has now gone 17 video games in opposition to its rivals and not using a win.

The sport didn’t lack for late drama, with Cenk Tosun and Seamus Coleman each coming near a winner as the ultimate whistle drew close to. However so far as Merseyside Derbies go, it was forgettable. And particularly at Goodison Park, that suited the guests greater than the hosts.

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Henry Bushnell covers international soccer, and sometimes different ball video games, for Yahoo Sports activities. Have a tip? Query? Remark? Electronic mail him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com or comply with him on Twitter @HenryBushnell.



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