Someone fucking change that title! IT HAS TO BE ABOUT XMAS!
Anyway, God rest ye merry gentlemen and gather round! For 'tis my RAAAAAAAAAATIIIIINNNNNNGS!
I don't think anyone saw that line-up coming. Yeah maybe Shaq coming in, or Milner, but changing five players from the Brighton game was a huge surprise, but it paid off big time. The first half was, to be blunt, total fucking lunacy. Every shot seemed to fly in, and the game was played fast, loose and in an almost old-school way; tactics, formation, shape and discipline was in scant supply. But when you've got better players, there's only going to be one winner.
Everton started with a strange 5 at the back, which seemed sensible, but only if those players can defend. But the 3 CBs got in eachother's way, and Sidebe can't defend, so it was a shambles. It also meant that Everton only had two central midfielders, and neither of them can tackle, or run, so they were just destroyed by the pace and movement of Liverpool and the extra bodies we had.
There was still some frustration - how many chances did we gift them? - and at one point a glaring miss by Kean could have made it a nerve-jangling 4-3, but justice was done: Everton deserved nothing, and we really should have scored at least two more. As it was, we had to settle for just the five goals. Hohoho!
Adrian (6) Conceded two, but wasn't to blame really. Showed a few insouciant touches, which was nice, but he doesn't allow us to play as high a line, as he isn't as aggressive in his positioning as Allison.
TAA (8) He walked a fine line at times, leaving a foot in here and there, and sometimes his arrogance in possession can be a bit dangerous, but how it pays off! Some of his passing was enough to bring joy to the world. So instrumental in everything good about this Liverpool side.
Virgil (7) Had a decent tussle with Calvert-Lewin, but was unusually slack in some of his positioning in that first 45 minutes. Much better after the break, as things calmed down a bit and he was more in control. Some lovely passes too, but it would be nice to see him get back to his very best, and quick.
Lovren (7) This was in many ways a classic Lovren display; some jarring mistakes and then a brilliant challenge (one of which left DCL gasping). And then there was that pass, delivered from deep, crisp and evenly, right into the path of Big Div.
Robertson (7) Wasn't in the mood to show much goodwill to any Everton players, as he snarled and bristled at anything in blue. Soon got the measure of Iwobi, and cowed him into complete invisibility. Still not at his best level, although that might due to his injury.
Milner (7) A typically solid and hard-working display, with the usual sprinkling of classic Milner "reducers" thrown in. Perhaps a bit too frenetic at times, but more measured and accurate with his passing after half-time.
Wijnaldum (8) Like Milner, was a bit awry with some of his passing, but took total control of the midfield as the game went on. Showed some immense strength in possession, as Everton tried, and failed, to get the ball off him. It was like watching a 10 year old playing against his Dad in the back garden at times. Scored a very deserved fifth goal with a lovely finish after Firmino left half the Everton team looking the wrong way.
Lallana (6) Worked hard and harassed the wobbling Everton defenders well from a more advanced position. Some decent use of the ball, but nothing hugely creative. But for fuck's sake, please stop doing those Lallana Turns* and giving the ball away. (*they're like Cruyff turns, but performed in your own half and often results in getting robbed)
Shaqiri (8) Don't call it a comeback, but he knocked Everton the fuck out with that crucial second goal. He was a bit in and out for the first 45 minutes apart from that, but was a great outlet in the second half, and used his array of flicks, feints and tricks to bleed out any resistance Everton had left.
Mane (9) I was furious with him at times, because he should have got a hat-trick, but our best player simply destroyed the Bitters. He was a one-man wrecking ball, and by the time he was finished Everton's defence had more holes than a tramp's sock. He was brutally effective, and his creativity was awesome. Got the goal he deserved with a beautifully placed finish. Merry Xmas Everton! Again.
Origi (9) Don't know what Santa Claus is known as in Belgium, but Divock opened up his big sack of magic and sprayed Yuletide joy everywhere. What an immense 45 minutes from Origi. The first goal was lovely in build-up and execution, but the second was a work of striking art, lifting the ball over Pickford's tiny, stretching arms into the net. He loves playing the Bitters. I'm not sure that feeling is mutual.
