Wow, what a performance. That, along with Tottenham, was Brendan's best tactical plan since he arrived. We let them pass it around the back, but as soon as it got in to midfield we closed down at pace. Brilliant to watch.
Mignolet: made a couple of good saves early on to keep us up. His distribution was also very good today. He even backed off of one cross to Lukaku early on. Clearly he remembered his error last week for Benteke's goal
. 7/10
Flanagan: I think our right fullback position has been solved. He's still got a lot to improve on going forward, but he is very comfortable on the ball, and seemed to be first to everything. Gave Pienaar fits. I didn't think he had it in him to make it at Liverpool, but he's proving me and the rest of the doubters wrong. What an improvement and what a performance. 8/10
Skrtel/Kolo: Didn't put a foot wrong the whole game. Lucky that Lukaku went off early, though
. 7/10.
Cissokho: I thought he defended well. Still clueless with the ball, but he didn't get roasted and was generally in a good position. 6.5/10
Gerrard: Why can't you have this intensity for every match? He was immense. Interceptions, tackles, blocks. Played a disciplined destroyer role and helped keep Barkley quiet. That header, too. 9/10.
Henderson: Went about his job and stayed tight to Barkley and Osman when he had to. Very disciplined performance. He's blossoming. 7.5/10
Coutinho: Outstanding. His best overall performance in a red shirt. Got us out of some tight spots in midfield, and made McCarthy and Barry look foolish on several occasions, which is no easy task. Has a lot of work to nail the #10 role down, but today he looked the part. 8.5/10
Sterling: Excellent as always. Helped Flanno out with Baines and held the ball up well as usual. Also played a neat sequence with Coutinho to start the move for the second goal. 7/10
Sturridge: Had to stop typing this so I could go have a w*nk. Absolutely phenomenal. All over the pitch. Selfish at the end, but at least the game wasn't in the balance. 9/10.
Suarez: Had to stop typing so I could go have another w*nk. Brilliant performance. Hustled and harried them all over the pitch. Well taken goal. 8.5/10
As far as Everton go, I continue to be impressed with Barkley. He's going to be some player for Everton and England for years to come. Best talent to come out of Merseyside since Gerrard, easily. Let's tempt them with a bid
Took off work to catch the match, and I was just laughing after Studge's 2nd goal. What a performance.