Another game, another great performance from Mohamed Salah as his brace paces Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. Everton have now won nine matches and as they grapple with injury woes, Rafa Benitez needs to be asked some questions and how he will take the team out.
It was almost all Liverpool as they came close to 70% possession to open the scoring via an ice-cold finish from Jordan Henderson in the ninth minute. Being set up by Andrew Robertson, Henderson scored a first finish that gave Jordan Pickford no chance to save it. It was clear what kind of play this would turn into as Andros Townsend was booked for diving just minutes later as he tried to take a penalty to bring Everton level. Soon after, Salah took advantage of a missed tackle from Ben Godfrey to convert a single run from the center circle into Liverpool's second half of the day.
Everton thought they were climbing things back in the half as they would get Demarai Gray back through Richardson on goal just after the break, but Liverpool hit another gear. Salah will get another chance to exploit Seamus Coleman's mistake and Diogo Jota will also reach the scoresheet with a clean finish from a sharp angle.
Another disappointing result for Everton saw their home fans leave the stadium early but Liverpool continued their fast pace in a title race for the ages. It is now three straight games for Liverpool to score four goals and have scored two or more goals as they cannot be stopped in their current form.
1. We have got a title race, folks
Looking at the table, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are separated by only two points. It could be a race for the ages as all three teams are close enough to balance Champions League obligations with the rest of the Premier League being eliminated. Any dropped points are an opportunity for the other teams and each has a goal difference of +20 when the next best team in the Premier League only has one of +8. It was thought another team could push them at least until January, but the big three had already opened the gap to a seven-point finish in fourth, thanks to West Ham's draw to Brighton.
2. Is Robertson back?
After a rough start to the season, in which Robertson missed a few games due to injury and where he needed rest due to his international schedule for Scotland, questions arose as to whether Robertson had lost a move. Constantino Tsimikas' strong deputy appearances only added to those questions. Combine this with Trent Alexander-Arnold's strong form and it was easy to forget that Robertson was also on the field as Liverpool carried the ball smoothly up the right side of the pitch. Fast forward and after assists on Wednesday, Robertson has now scored three assists in his last two games and is also second among defenders for combined assists with Reece James. As teams key on Alexander-Arnold, they need to remember that Robertson can also bombard the flank.
Superb first touch and finish by Jota!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 1, 2021
Liverpool lead 4-1. #EVELIV pic.twitter.com/ZKHoGBwqvS
3. What can Rafa do?
Everton are at the bottom of the form table with only two points behind Newcastle United during their winless streak starting on 2 October. He has tied with Brighton for the joint lowest number of goals in the Premier League. He has allowed the most goalscorers with Watford and Manchester United. While the expected target numbers are a bit like their chances, it doesn't look great when a team has been poor in both running and defending for two months. Given that one of their losses included giving a five to Watford, it can't all be chalked up to injuries as the team slides further down the table. Benitez will soon have to find something to start this team with as fans are losing faith too. If that doesn't change he could be the next manager replaced in a league that waits for no one.
Jürgen Klopp hailed an 'absolutely outstanding' performance from the Reds tonight.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2021
Here's what the boss had to say after victory in the 239th #MerseysideDerby 👇
Rafa Benitez's #EVELIV reaction: pic.twitter.com/sDM1wzQDeu
— Everton (@Everton) December 1, 2021