Liverpool 1-0 Everton: 3 Talking Points as young Reds steal the show in Merseyside Derby

Liverpool hosted Everton at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup for the second Merseyside Derby of the season, as they looked to register another famous victory over their cross-town rivals. Jurgen Klopp opted to name a much-changed starting XI as the German had one eye on the Reds' Premier League encounter against Tottenham Hotspur, but the young guns were at their brilliant best as they recorded a 1-0 victory after a stunning all-round performance.

The history of the fixture played on the mind of the Toffees as they were outclassed by a second-string Liverpool side. 18-year-old Curtis Jones produced the decisive moment on the night, as the young Scouser announced himself to the Anfield faithful with a screamer from the edge of the box for the solitary goal of the game.

New signing Takumi Minamino made his first start for the club since arriving from Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg and the Japanese international produced a lively performance, before being substituted to a standing ovation for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The side from the red half of Merseyside dominated proceedings right from the get-go but strangely, Everton had the better chances in the opening exchanges as Adrian produced a string of top drawer saves to ensure parity. The Toffees were below par on the day and went behind in the 71st minute, as Jones' curling effort sailed into the top corner of the net past the despairing dive of Jordan Pickford.

As the young Reds etched their names in Liverpool folklore after a famous victory against their arch-rivals, let's look at some of the talking points from the game.

3. Everton showed no mental fortitude

Liverpool FC v Everton FC - FA Cup Third Round

Coming up against a much-changed Liverpool side, Everton were presented with the perfect opportunity to get one over their local rivals but the Toffees' long wait to register a victory in the fixture is set to continue well into the new year, after they fell flat at Anfield once again. The young Reds took control of the game in the second half and produced a memorable performance in front of the home fans, as they dominated what was seemingly Everton's first-choice starting XI.

While Klopp's side were clearly the better side in the grand scheme of things, Everton didn't show enough heart to win a fixture of such magnitude and failed to make their opportunity count considering the circumstances. Liverpool topped every possible statistic, right from possession to chances created and capped off a fine performance with a stunning goal in the second half, but the fact that the Toffees were beaten so convincingly by a second-string side proves that Carlo Ancelotti has his work cut out for him.

Speaking after the game, the Italian pulled no punches, as he lashed into his players for their lacklustre performance.

"That was not good enough and I will tell them that."

Everton have turned a corner under the former Napoli boss but serious questions need to be asked of their mental fortitude, as their deficiencies were exploited expertly by a fearless Liverpool side. The Reds outplayed what was seemingly a Premier League quality starting lineup from the Blues and the gulf of class between the two sides was brought to the forefront, as the home side registered yet another convincing victory at Anfield.

2. Adrian continues to revel in his cult-hero status

Adrian San Miguel made the unlikely move to Liverpool this summer and the Spaniard's first season at the club has seen him establish himself as a cult-hero. After making an unexpected Premier League debut on the opening day of the season owing to an injury to Alisson Becker, the former West Ham goalkeeper produced a string of fine performances between the sticks for the Reds.

His crowning moment came in the UEFA Super Cup in Istanbul, as he produced the match-winning moment of the game in the penalty shootout by keeping out Tammy Abraham's spot-kick to win the game for his side. The veteran goalkeeper was at it once again, as he enhanced his reputation with another terrific showing in his second Merseyside derby of the season.

Although Liverpool dominated proceedings, they failed to put the ball into the back of the net in the first half and Adrian rose to the occasion to prevent his side from going behind. The 33-year-old produced 3 saves of the highest order to keep the scoreline level and walked away with a well-deserved clean sheet, as the Reds secured a 1-0 victory.

Alisson Becker is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in world football but in Adrian, Jurgen Klopp has an able deputy who is revelling in his new-found cult hero status at the home of the reigning European champions.

1. Young reds come of age to register stunning victory

Jurgen Klopp's team selection raised eyebrows in the build-up to the game, as he opted to leave out his big guns in favour of the young Reds. The German's decision was vindicated in some style as Liverpool recorded a famous victory, with the young guns leading from the front to produce a sensational display in front of the Anfield faithful.

The likes of Neco Williams, Curtis Jones, Pedro Chirivella, Nat Philips and Harvey Elliot were handed starts and Algerian full-back Yasser Larouci came on as an early substitute for the injured James Milner, who was withdrawn prematurely in the 5th minute of the game with a suspected muscle injury.

Whilst Jones produced the crowning moment of the game with a stunning match-winning goal from outside the box, Williams and Phillips were resolute at the back for the Reds, with Elliot and Chirivella producing lively performances on the other end of the pitch. Everton were run ragged by a fearless Liverpool side and the 1-0 scoreline does not paint an accurate picture, as the Toffees were beaten quite convincingly on the night.

Klopp had a beaming smile on his face after the full-time whistle and lavished praise on his side's performance, as they went toe to toe against what was seemingly Everton's first-choice starting XI and registered a deserved victory.

"It's so important that the youngsters learned how we play. I saw that today. I told the boys they have to be proud of their performance, it was exceptional."

The young Reds were shown brightest in the grandest stage and produced an eyecatching display against their local rivals, as they secured qualification to the fourth round of the FA Cup.