Liverpool Player Ratings vs Everton: Salah shines, but Tarkowski’s last-second goal secures dramatic Goodison Park draw!
Liverpool Denied at the Death in Final Goodison Derby
Liverpool were seconds away from victory in the last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, only for James Tarkowski’s dramatic 98th-minute strike to snatch a 2-2 draw for Everton. Arne Slot’s side moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, but the result felt like two points dropped.
Everton struck first as Beto capitalized on poor Liverpool defending to slot past Alisson. However, Alexis Mac Allister quickly leveled with a header from Mohamed Salah’s cross. Controversy followed as both teams saw penalty shouts waved away, while Jarrad Branthwaite’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Salah appeared to seal the win in the 72nd minute after a sliced clearance fell his way, but Tarkowski’s stunning half-volley in the final seconds sent Goodison into chaos. A lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal, and tempers flared after full-time, with Slot, Curtis Jones, and Abdoulaye Doucoure all seeing red.
Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson (5/10): Little action until the final stages.
Conor Bradley (5/10): Struggled with the intensity; subbed off.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10): Caught napping for Everton’s opener but solid otherwise.
Virgil van Dijk (6/10): Composed in possession, but defensive lapses proved costly.
Andy Robertson (6/10): Handled Lindstrom well but replaced late on.
Ryan Gravenberch (6/10): Some neat dribbling but lacked real influence.
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10): Scored the crucial equalizer and controlled midfield play.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10): High energy but lacked a cutting edge.
Mohamed Salah (8/10): Provided an assist and put Liverpool ahead—clinical as ever.
Luis Diaz (5/10): Struggled centrally, more comfortable out wide.
Cody Gakpo (5/10): Quiet night, outmatched physically.
Subs & Manager
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10): Added quality but couldn’t change the outcome.
Curtis Jones (5/10): His blocked shot led to Salah’s goal but was later sent off.
Kostas Tsimikas (6/10): Offered energy but allowed Tarkowski too much space.
Darwin Nunez (6/10): Helped create Salah’s goal with good hold-up play.
Diogo Jota (N/A): Late cameo.
Arne Slot (5/10): His side nearly escaped with a win, but the late collapse will sting.
