What can Slot learn from Liverpool's draw with Everton?

Only a last-gasp goal could deny the Reds victory at Goodison Park on Wednesday, but there were still issues for the manager to weigh up.

Photo: IMAGO | Anfield Index

Arne Slot has probably had enough time now for his anger over Michael Oliver’s role in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton last night to subside.

Of course, the Dutchman’s mood could still be soured by news of an FA charge between now and Monday, with a potential touchline ban in the offing.

But until then, his focus will surely be on the fact that his team allowed the officials to become a factor in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Ultimately, Liverpool did not perform well enough in a game that pitted first against 16th in the Premier League to argue that they deserved more than a point.

And that the gulf in class was bridged by a raw physicality will have given the Reds boss plenty of food for thought.

Everton’s plan for progressing the ball should have come as no surprise, with their top three players for passes into the final third all being defenders (Vitalii Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski).

Their tactic of hitting Beto or Abdoulaye Doucoure in advanced positions at every opportunity is spelled out by the pass maps of the aforementioned players, and there is no question that it worked.

Mykolenko, Branthwaite and Tarkowski passes into the final third