Liverpool's Premier League title bid took a serious hit after being beaten by a better side as Everton won a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park for the first time in almost 14 years.

The victory over Liverpool - thanks to goals in either half from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin - virtually assured Everton's top-flight future after moving eight points clear of Luton with four matches to go. 

However, it was a night to forget for Jurgen Klopp as his 'last Merseyside derby dance' ended in tatters, with the defeat coming less than a week after they were knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta.

Mail Sport's Lewis Steele rates how both Sean Dyche and Klopp's players performed during the Premier League fixture on Wednesday evening. 

It was Everton who emerged victorious from the latest Merseyside derby, beating Liverpool 2-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening

EVERTON (4-2-3-1)

Jordan Pickford - 8.5

Showed why he is England’s No 1 with a string of fine saves, especially in the first half. The pick of the bunch was to deny Nunez on 35 minutes but also made big stops against Nunez and Robertson. Pickford was an assertive presence, as usual, when claiming crosses.

Ben Godfrey - 7.5

Has his critics in the Everton fanbase but this was an extremely solid defensive performance from Godfrey, a centre back by trade at right back due to injuries elsewhere. Made some decisive interventions. Missed a good chance at the other end in a

James Tarkowski - 8.5

Not the club captain but a true skipper’s performance, leading by example from the back with an array of significant blocks, tackles and interceptions. Nunez barely had a sniff.

Jarrad Branthwaite - 8.5

Marked his 50th Toffees appearance in style with a goal, a well-taken finish after causing problems in earlier set-pieces. Branthwaite is 21 but plays like he has been at this level for a decade, defending with a clever nature that belies his years.

Vitalii Mykolenko - 7

Put in a solid shift to keep Salah very quiet in the first half. Sadly went off injured at the break after a nasty fall in stoppage time.

Idrissa Gana Gueye - 9

The best player on the pitch in the first half. Aggressive in the challenge, relentless running and clever interceptions. The Senegal midfielder seemed to be everywhere and constantly frustrated Liverpool’s attackers.

James Garner - 7.5

Supplemented Gueye well with a bit more focus on getting up the field than usual.

Jack Harrison - 8.5

SO important to this team. Never stops running off the ball as he leads the press. He was influential in possession, too, with a whipped cross after three minutes that could have led to a goal, plus a beautiful pass for the penalty that never was.

Abdoulaye Doucoure - 8

Had an excellent run early in the first half that saw him skip past Alexander-Arnold as if he was not there and then feed Harrison. The midfielder had a huge chance just three minutes into the game as the ball fell to him unmarked in the penalty area but he could not sort his feet out.

Dwight McNeil - 7.5

A solid defensive shift to double up on Salah. Had his moments at the other end, too, forcing Alisson into a save with a well-hit shot from distance. Lovely corner for Calvert-Lewin’s goal.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 9

Did well to win the penalty that never was and was unlucky to be caught marginally offside. Despite missing one header in the first half, this was a near-perfect forward’s performance and he caused Konate all sorts of problems. Goal was well deserved.

Substitutes

Ashley Young (for Mykolenko, 46) - 6

Amadou Onana (for Gueye, 75) - 5

Youssef Chermiti (for Calvert-Lewin, 90+3)

Subs not used: Joao Virginia, Michael Keane, Arnaut Danjuma, Andre Gomes, Lewis Warrington, Mackenzie Hunt.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

Alisson Becker - 6.5

Made a big save to deny Calvert-Lewin’s header from close range early on and would have breathed a sigh of relief when the striker was proven to be offside for a penalty that would have been an Alisson mistake. Could do little for Branthwaite’s goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5

Quiet start but grew in influence late in the first half with a defence-splitting pass to Nunez that nearly led to a goal and some crosses that caused problems. Struggled defensively, with McNeil skipping past him a couple of times.

Ibrahima Konate - 3.5

Not his finest evening by any stretch of the imagination. Everton’s direct style caused the Frenchman all sorts of problems, with Calvert-Lewin in particular getting the better of him. Really poor.

Virgil van Dijk - 5 (Booked)

A daft booking early on for dissent summed up his evening. It was a frustrating night for Van Dijk. Marking in general for Everton’s second goal was abysmal, with Calvert-Lewin boasting space in abundance at the back post.

Andy Robertson - 5

Had a tough first half against Harrison. Nearly scored at the end of the first half with a driven, low shot but was thwarted by Pickford. Never stopped running with bursts forward but could not have an impact.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 4

A really worrying bane of form for Liverpool’s Hungarian midfielder. Looked like he was going to take the Premier League by storm in his first few months in England but has struggled somewhat since. Barely had a kick here.

Alexis Mac Allister - 5

Has been Liverpool’s best player in 2024 probably but the Argentine World Cup winner started in his lesser-preferred position of holding midfield here and could not impact the game how he often does. Sometimes was beaten far too easily by Doucoure.

Curtis Jones - 5

Another Reds player who barely influenced the game in a positive way. Kept trying with driving runs but nothing he tried came off.

Mohamed Salah - 4

When he came back from injury, many expected Salah to be the man above all to carry Liverpool to the Premier League title. But his form has been shoddy and this was another performance that left a lot to be desired, with a few uncharacteristic big misses.

Darwin Nunez - 4

Slip after 24 minutes summed up his game. Was given a vote of confidence to start this game after a couple on the substitutes’ bench but he was poor. Had a big moment on 35 minutes but shot straight at Pickford.

Luis Diaz - 6 (Booked)

Started well and saw an effort nearly deflect goalwards after four minutes but was quiet thereafter. Liverpool missed injured Diogo Jota and also Cody Gakpo, attending the birth of his child. Diaz was probably the most dangerous of Liverpool’s attackers but still not at his best.

Substitutes

Harvey Elliott (for Jones, 63) - 5

Wataru Endo (for Szoboszlai, 63) - 6

Jarell Quansah (for Konate, 63) - 5

Kostas Tsimikas (for Robertson, 84)

Joe Gomez (for Alexander-Arnold, 84)

Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Ryan Gravenberch, Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns.