Liverpool 0-2 Everton: 5 Talking Points as Toffees win first Merseyside derby at Anfield in 22 years| Premier League 2020-21

#3 Everton's midfield erodes Liverpool's potency

Tom Davies was outstanding against Liverpool in the first half.

Liverpool had large chunks of possession in the first half but saw their play broken down by Everton's deadly midfield trio of Andre Gomes, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Tom Davies.

The visitors were not afraid to put their body on the line, lunging into tackles and playing fearless football. Gomes, in particular, received multiple warnings from the referee and also picked up a yellow card for a foul.

Mason Holgate and co. were kept busy without a doubt, but it was the recovery of the ball by Everton's midfielders that disrupted Liverpool's fluency.

Davies, especially, was hard with his tackling, as he read the game well, intercepting many a Liverpool pass in midfield.

Tom Davies made more tackles than any other Everton player in the first half vs. Liverpool (4).

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 20, 2021

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#4 Sadio Mane provides spark for Liverpool

Sadio Mane was Liverpool's most threatening outlet in the second half.

Liverpool, arguably the last team to sit back after an early sucker punch, came out of the tunnel with a real attacking intent.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson peppering crosses into the box, Liverpool kept hold of the ball for longer periods in the second half. Sadio Mane, in particular, was threatening with his pace and movement inside the Everton box.

An early header off a Robertson cross tested Jordan Pickford for the third time in the match. Only a couple of minutes later, Mane ran beyond the Everton defence, urging Alexander-Arnold to play a through ball.

He pulled away from Holgate again, but the Everton centre-halves were as alert as they could be. They did not just hold Mane up, but also tracked the onrushing runs of other Liverpool midfielders whenever Mane tried to bring them into play.

Everton continued to do what they did in the first half, threading passes beyond the Liverpool backline and creating excellent counter-attacking opportunities.

That's not a penalty.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) February 20, 2021

One such chance led to Dominik Calvert-Lewin bundled down by Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Liverpool box, resulting in a penalty for Everton.

Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up, and calmly slotted in to double his side's lead on the night.

5 - Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored five away goals against Liverpool in all competitions - more than he has away at any other opponent in his career in England. Regular. pic.twitter.com/2eN4qa1fwZ

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 20, 2021

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#5 An injury-ravaged Liverpool could struggle to finish in the top four

Liverpool's hopes for a top-four finish look slim after the Everton defeat

Liverpool may have surrendered the title already: they have lost four matches on the bounce and have not won in the league at Anfield since December 16. There have been various narratives on what has gone wrong with Liverpool this campaign.

The Reds have only managed a meagre eight points from their last ten Premier League games. They are staring down the barrels of an unconvincing Europa League spot or no European football at all should things continue the way they are.

Liverpool have enjoyed the lion's share of possession in games but have been unable to find a way to feed their devastating front trio of Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Injuries to key players have not helped their cause either, with Jordan Henderson the latest to be added to the treatment room.

Jurgen Klopp has a lot to worry about, as Liverpool were tactically outclassed yet again. In fact, Everton could leapfrog them in the Premier League table should they take a point or more from their game in hand.