In an amazing Merseyside derby, Everton showed off some real smart tactics that left Liverpool scratching their heads. The Toffees game plan was set up to shut down Ryan Gravenberch, who usually runs Liverpool’s midfield. They kept putting pressure on and stayed tight at the back which made Liverpool resort to long balls they don’t usually play, messing up their normal flowing football. This smart defending was why Everton managed to get a draw, and other teams might want to copy how they did it against Liverpool’s pressing style.
- Everton’s plan worked great to stop Ryan Gravenberch from playing his game
- Liverpool couldn’t figure out how to deal with Everton’s pressure
- The draw showed some problems with how Liverpool plays under Arne Slot
Everton’s Tactical Approach
The way Everton played in the Merseyside derby really showed they know how to switch things up. They concentrated on stopping Gravenberch which totally threw Liverpool off their game and made them play different than usual. This didn’t just get them a draw but also showed where Liverpool might be weak.
How Everton nullified Ryan Gravenberch and forced Liverpool long
Liverpool’s worst display under Arne Slot resulted in dropped points in the Merseyside derby, with Everton’s tactics providing a blueprint for others to follow
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https://t.co/sjQJ8xSBeP— Times Sport (@TimesSport)
February 13, 2025
Liverpool’s Challenges
With Arne Slot in charge Liverpool had a real hard time dealing with how Everton played. Their usually strong pressing and attacking just didn’t work, and they couldn’t control the game like they normally do. The match really showed how Liverpool can struggle when teams put lots of pressure on them like Everton did.
For more about what’s changing at Everton, check out Everton’s New Era.
Key Player: Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch who’s really important in Liverpool’s midfield got completely shut down by how Everton defended. He’s usually great at passing and helping defend but he just couldn’t get into the game at all. Even though he had a tough time, he’s still super important for Liverpool and has been playing really good in other games this season.
For more details about how Liverpool’s been doing visit Liverpool FC Insights.
Future Implications
Liverpool don’t drop points much under Slot so this draw was pretty unusual, and now other teams might try to copy what Everton did. The way Everton managed to stop Gravenberch from playing shows how important it is to be able to change your tactics in the Premier League.
To see all Gravenberch’s stats, check out his Transfermarkt Profile.
To learn more about the Merseyside derby and other Premier League games you can visit Premier League Matches.
