Nunez overcomes test – and fresh frustration
Darwin Nunez had been warned to beware being wound up by the Everton defenders and Goodison crowd on his return to action.
But for much of the first half the Liverpool forward could rightly claim to instead being frustrated by his new team-mates.
Such are the ongoing growing pains as Nunez and the Reds continue to be acquainted, a process put on temporary hold by his recent three-match ban.
Back available, Nunez was thrown straight in from the start here and spent much of the opening 43 minutes feeding off scraps. Then, after a simple ball over the top, came a glimpse of why Liverpool are prepared to make him the most expensive player in their history, the 23-year-old unleashing a tremendous dipping drive that Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford did brilliantly to tip on to the crossbar.
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That galvanised both the Reds and Nunez and, both bolstered by the arrival of Roberto Firmino for the second half, the Uruguayan was a far more dangerous presence despite snatching at a few shots.
Nunez remains a work in progress with his integration hampered by both the self-inflicted suspension and the injury absences around him.
But having seen the striker come through his first subsequent test of temperament, Jurgen Klopp can now concentrate on fathoming how best to capitalise on his undoubted talents.
Gomez prospers as Van Dijk struggles to convince
Of all the deals agreed by Liverpool in the summer, the long-term contract signed by Joe Gomez was perhaps the most eyebrow-raising given his drop down the centre-back pecking order last season.
But how the Reds are glad Gomez was willing to take on the challenge of regaining a place initially lost through serious injury.
The 25-year-old was Liverpool’s best outfield performer here, integral in Klopp's side keeping only a second clean sheet of the season with his pace allowing him to largely keep Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray in check while keeping tabs on pesky Everton debutant Neal Maupay.
Gomez confidently mopped up and was decisive on a number of occasions when the home side built up a head of steam. His versatility allowed him to shift across to right-back as Liverpool reshuffled for the finale. And when the home side did find a way through, Alisson Becker made two fine saves.
By contrast, centre-back Virgil van Dijk continues to search for optimum form after a slow start to the campaign. While there were no real blunders from the Dutchman, there isn’t at present the same casual air of authority and impregnability that have long been his hallmarks.
And Van Dijk was a touch fortunate to escape greater censure when a stamp on the foot of Amadou Onana prompted a booking from referee Anthony Taylor. It may be time for Van Dijk to have a rest and reset.
Full-backs losing their way
Jurgen Klopp was keen to downplay any suggestions after the game. But concerns over the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold would appear increasingly well founded.
Having been substituted shortly into the second half against Newcastle United in midweek after a below-par showing, the right-back suffered the same fate here after no real signs of improvement.
Liverpool’s territorial dominance first half meant Alexander-Arnold was rarely troubled defensively, although he was switched on to make one last-ditch clearance shortly before the break.
But, as on Wednesday, it was his distribution, normally his strongest point, that was found wanting, underlined by a pass completion rate of just under 72%.
If a brace of goals and indirect involvement in others during the opening month of the season allayed some worries regarding Alexander-Arnold’s level, they couldn’t dampen the nagging feeling the spark isn’t quite there, not helped by a lack of real competition in the position.
That could change once more players return to fitness. But with neither Andy Robertson nor Kostas Tsimikas anywhere near their best on the other flank, the full-back positions that are so crucial to Liverpool’s attacking play just aren’t functioning properly right now.
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