Analysis: Toffees show vast improvement

Everton manager David Moyes is now without victory in 23 visits to Anfield, with Liverpool inflicting more pain by setting up the platform for three points with two goals inside the first half an hour.

It gave Everton an unenviable task to get back into this Merseyside derby, but the manner in which they pushed Liverpool in the second half means Moyes can feel encouraged despite the loss.

Everton could have capitulated in that dire situation, but responded in such a manner that Liverpool fans were shouting for the final whistle while Moyes was furious only three minutes were added on at the end.

Jack Grealish was once again a major source of creativity, along with Iliman Ndiaye, but this Everton team has a very obvious Achilles heel for all the improvements made elsewhere.

Moyes started with Beto up front but removed the striker at half-time, somewhat harshly as he had barely had any service.

He was replaced by the raw £27m summer signing Thierno Barry, but the 22-year-old brought in from Villarreal could make no impression on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

It is a flaw that threatens to undo so much good work from Everton and is something Moyes must address in the next transfer window.