Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his side despite being held to a goalless draw at neighbours Everton…
By usual standards the 224th Merseyside Derby was a pretty mundane affair with neither side managing to break the deadlock and little in the way of controversial moments or incidents to discuss.
There was plenty of endeavour on offer from both teams though and the pace and intensity of the contest meant it was never dull.
On the balance of play Liverpool probably should have nicked it with 55% of the possession and 17 shots mustered compared to just six by the hosts.
“Over the course of the game, I thought we were clearly the better team,” analysed Reds boss Brendan Rodgers at his post-match press conference. “The balance in our game was very good.
“We switched off towards the end; in the last five minutes they had a counter-attack that led to their only shot on target.
“Apart from that, we defended very, very well and pressed the game well at the right moments and I thought we looked exciting in terms of our threat going forward.
“We needed a bit of luck in the final third of the field, we had opportunities both in the first half and the second half but just couldn’t quite take them.
“But it’s another clean sheet for us, a point away and we keep moving forward.”
In addition to some smart stops from stand-in Everton goalie Joel Robles, the visitors hit the post with a stunning strike from surprise selection Jordan Ibe.
The 19-year-old, who had previously been on loan at Derby County and was making his first start of the season, was a standout performer throughout the encounter.
Encouragingly, Ibe was one of seven players in the Liverpool starting eleven aged 24 or under and it was a fact that made Rodgers particularly proud.
“What was pleasing tonight,” continued the Northern Irishman. “Was that in such an intense atmosphere, the composure of my young players.
“Look at Emre Can tonight, at 21 years of age he was like a Rolls-Royce at the back; he defended fantastically and his quality on the ball was very, very good.
“Young Jordon Ibe and the rest showed great composure, they connected the game very well in the team. We’ve now got a really solid structure and good stability in the team defensively.
“86 minutes was their first shot on target so that’s a big credit to the team and how well they defended when they had to.”
On the subject of Ibe specifically, Rodgers added: “I had no qualms about putting him in and it was a brilliant performance by him.
“He was unfortunate not to have scored with his run and strike, and also he had one at the back post where if he arrives a fraction earlier he probably scores.
“He has wonderful temperament and technique, and is tactically very good for a kid coming into that system, having to get forward and then know when to tuck in as well. I was very pleased for him in the intensity of that game.”
Liverpool are again in midweek action this week with Tottenham Hotspur visiting Anfield on Tuesday night.
The Londoners arrive off the back of a fine win over fierce rivals Arsenal and are one of Liverpool’s biggest challengers for a top four position.
Victory for the Merseysiders will close the gap between the two to just one point.
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