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In what transpired to be an atypical Merseyside Derby (there were no bookings - a first since 1992), Liverpool's progress in the Premier League was halted by a determined Everton side as the Reds were held to a 0-0 draw.
Bereft of the services of talismanic Egyptian, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool created chances aplenty but failed to convert even a single one. Roberto Firmino was also conspicuous with his absence, as the superstar duo were rightfully given a breather after their intense UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City earlier in the week.
As a result of the draw, Liverpool remain third on the Premier League table for now, and without further ado, here is a look at 5 key talking points from the second Merseyside Derby in this league season:
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#1 Georginio Wijnaldum doesn't get the attention he deserves
Often plying his trade in the shadows of his team-mates Salah, Sane, and Firmino, Georginio Wijnaldum is certainly Liverpool's unsung hero. The Dutchman oozes confidence and subsequently translates it into excellently composed performances.
Today was no different. The 27-year-old was visibly one of Liverpool's best players as he seemingly bossed the midfield. He made 91 touches on the ball and a total of 81 passes, with a stunning accuracy of 94%.
Further, he also made 3 successful dribbles and took 1 shot which, unfortunately for him, was off target. While Liverpool may have only whisked away 1 point from the encounter, Wijnaldum will take a lot of confidence from the game, and that can only be good news for the red side of Merseyside.
#2 Everton's defence comes good
The Toffees may have conceded 53 goals this season, but against Liverpool, their back five sure did step up.
Jordan Pickford led from the back as he made 4 excellent saves to keep Liverpool's attackers at bay. Luckily for Everton, he was ably supported by his two centre-backs, Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane.
The duo expertly nullified Liverpool's aerial threat, as the former won 7 duels in the air, while the latter won 6.
Further, they made a combined total of 3 crucial tackles, without which Liverpool may have well found the opening they so desperately craved.
#3 Jurgen Klopp's changes were necessary but inefficient
Liverpool were expected to make a few changes to help cope with the extremely hectic schedule that lies ahead of them and, as expected, a total of five players from their victory over City were missing today.
Danny Ings and Dominic Solanke came in for Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, while Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were replaced by Nathaniel Clyne, Ragnar Klavan and Georginio Wijnaldum, respectively.
While Wijnaldum was sensational in his role of controlling the midfield, Clyne and Klavan would've liked to have put in more significant performances, in a bid to stake a claim to start more regularly.
Klopp will not regret the changes, as he ostensibly didn't have much of a choice. What will disappoint him though, is that his players didn't make the most of the occasion.
#4 What good is €200 million?
In spite of a ground-breaking season in terms of transfers that saw them spend over €200 million in the summer and winter transfer windows put together, Everton have clearly struggled ever since the departure of Romelu Lukaku.
The likes of Jordan Pickford, Wayne Rooney, Cenk Tosun, Theo Walcott, Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Cuco Martina among others have arrived at the club over the past season, but have failed to make a difference.
In fact, it seems like Everton have only grown from bad to worse, as they are currently languishing in 9th place on the Premier League table - a definite slip from last season's 7th-placed finish.
5 of the aforementioned players started the game against Everton, and not one of them put in a noteworthy performance. They may have won a point today, but is it enough to save Sam Allardyce his job? Only time will tell.
#5 No Salah, no goals
In the process of leading Liverpool to their stunning victory over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League this week, Mohamed Salah was unlucky to pick up an injury that forced Jurgen Klopp to leave him out of the squad altogether.
In the absence of Salah and Firmino, Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings were handed the responsibility of partnering Sadio Mane up top, and the duo failed to make the most of the opportunity.
Despite taking a total of 10 shots, of which only 3 were on target, Liverpool failed to find the back of the net throughout the game and looked like they desperately missed Salah.
Even Firmino's introduction in the 74th minute couldn't infuse the required sting into the Reds' attack. With the second leg against the Cityzens looming, Liverpool and their fans will certainly pray that Salah returns as soon as possible.
