David Lynch’s 7 Key Takeaways from Liverpool’s 1-0 Merseyside Derby Win Over Everton | OneFootball

Arne Slot’s Half-Time Magic Turned The Tide

There’s no debate: the manager made the difference. After a stuttering first half where “Liverpool were looking a bit all over the place at times,” Arne Slot delivered a “really, really good half-time team talk.” David Lynch acknowledged the change was dramatic, noting, “Liverpool were vastly improved in that second half.”

The tactical shift was clear: smarter play, faster passing, avoiding “getting involved in 50/50s,” which is exactly what Everton wanted. Lynch credited Slot with tweaking things “to deny Everton the chance to get the ball into the areas they wanted.”

Slot’s influence underlined how Liverpool now “look capable of winning gritty games” – a massive trait for any title challenger.

Diogo Jota’s Redemption Arc

Jota’s form has been a worry. “He didn’t play well against PSG, didn’t play well against Newcastle,” Lynch admitted. Yet, despite criticisms, he kept his place – and delivered.

“That goal, if you were to say what a Diogo Jota goal looks like… scruffy dribbling, then he sends the keeper the wrong way,” Lynch said. It wasn’t just about the goal, though. Jota “wins two out of three tackles, four out of seven ground duels” and took “five shots.” His pressing intensity also returned, with Lynch recalling Klopp once calling him “a pressing monster.”

Curtis Jones: Makeshift Right-Back, Maximum Impact

With both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley unavailable, Curtis Jones was handed a difficult task – and delivered. “Not his position… but I think it was a brave and the right decision from the manager,” Lynch reflected.

The stats don’t lie: “93% passing accuracy,” “three out of five duels won,” “six recoveries.” Most importantly, he “never gave the ball away despite being under pressure constantly.”

Jones offered control from deep and maturity under pressure, a performance that “put all that [last derby red card] behind him.”

Alexis Mac Allister’s Tenacious Midfield Battle

Mac Allister’s display was everything Liverpool needed: gritty, determined, intelligent. “Three out of three tackles, five out of six ground duels,” Lynch counted. While aerial duels weren’t his forte – “he just can’t be taller” – he still fought everything.

The pundit was particularly incensed by James Tarkowski’s reckless challenge: “That should have been a red… completely reckless.” Yet, Mac Allister bounced back, proving “he’s always involved in challenges and won an awful lot of them tonight.”

Ryan Gravenberch Shows His Value

Gravenberch needed a performance after a dip in form – and got one. “Wins six out of 11 duels,” Lynch said, noting his numbers “had been trending downwards.” The midfielder looked fresher, having missed international duty, and it showed. “Particularly second half he looked much better,” Lynch added.

Photo: IMAGO

The Wind Played Its Part

It wasn’t just Everton trying to upset Liverpool’s rhythm – Mother Nature joined in. Lynch observed, “the wind played havoc at times… made it difficult for Liverpool,” even joking it “might be causing havoc with my microphone.”

Balls hung in the air, defenders misjudged clearances, and long passes turned erratic. In Lynch’s view, “it made it extra difficult for Liverpool” – yet they still found a way.

Deserved Win and Title Statement

Summing it all up, Lynch declared: “Not a vintage Liverpool performance by any means… but they just had to win today.” And win they did. A 1-0 derby win, “12 points clear at the top of the Premier League,” with only eight games remaining.

In his closing words, Lynch offered what every Red was feeling: “Surely that Premier League title is on the way.”