Liverpool vs Everton: Five things we learned as rampant Reds run riot

Dejan Lovren can play football

I know, I was shocked too. Not only did Lovren make an absolutely crucial toe-end interception that denied Everton a goal, but a few moments later he pinged a sensational ball that dropped perfectly over Origi’s shoulder as the defender registered an assist.

All the noise is normally about how Joel Matip or Joe Gomez are much better ball playing options, while it’s implied that Lovren is a bit of a lumbering Eastern European brut of a central defender. But on this evidence, we all need to think again.

Maybe this type of pass is the result of an extended run in the first team and some re-found confidence. Lovren’s game certainly appears to have reached new heights over the last few weeks as the World Cup finalist has found some consistency, are we about to see a new Degsy?

We were all brought back down to earth by footage of him scrabbling on the floor as he tried to prevent Richarlison from scoring with his shoulder, but that wasn’t necessarily a mistake by the defender. Sometimes forwards just do better. That’s life.

Nobody is expecting Lovren to become the next Andrea Pirlo, but it was a great moment to see someone who has picked up a lot of flak deliver such a good pass and register an assist.