Salah, Gakpo on target as Liverpool humble Everton

Liverpool recorded their first Premier League win in 2023 with a comfortable Merseyside derby victory over Everton at Anfield Monday night.

Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo provided the joy pot for Liverpool in the 36th and 49th minutes respectively thus handing Kloop a 2-0 victory and three points in the kitty.

Everton had actually kept Liverpool at arm’s length before they were caught by a devastating counter-attack after 36 minutes, defender James Tarkowski’s header hitting the post at one end before Darwin Nunez raced clear, squaring for Mohamed Salah to take advantage of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s poor positioning with a simple finish.

Liverpool snuffed out any hopes of an Everton recovery four minutes after the break.

And it was a special moment for £45m January signing Cody Gakpo, as he tapped in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the far post for his first goal since arriving at Anfield from PSV Eindhoven.

It has been a miserable 2023 for Liverpool, encapsulated by heavy away defeats at Brentford, Brighton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the ease with which they were able to overcome Everton’s admittedly flimsy challenge will lift the spirits.

This was a good night for Liverpool as manager Jurgen Klopp was able to include Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota on the bench after injury, the latter getting a rapturous reception when he was introduced as a second-half substitute for his first action since picking up the muscle problem that forced him to miss the World Cup in Qatar.

Another big plus was Gakpo’s goal, his first for Liverpool and a huge morale-booster for a player who has been quiet – although it would have been difficult for any new acquisition to come into such a struggling side who are ninth in the Premier League table, nine points adrift of the Champions League places.

Gakpo’s confidence visibly lifted after his goal, showing assured touches and looking more at ease than at any time in his short Liverpool career.

Liverpool were nowhere near their best they did not have to be but the sight of Salah on the scoresheet, goals from trademark lightning counter-attacks and a clean sheet will change the mood around Anfield considerably before a crucial visit to Newcastle United on Saturday night.

Salah has been involved in 100 Premier League goals at Anfield (71 goals, 29 assists) in 104 appearances.