Everton vs. Liverpool score: Mohamed Salah and Reds smash four past Toffees in Merseyside Derby

Thanks to a Salah brace, Liverpool made easy work of Everton on Wednesday

Another game, another sterling performance from Mohamed Salah as his brace paced Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby. Everton are now winless in nine matches and while they have been dealing with an injury crisis, some questions need to be asked of Rafa Benitez and how he will pull the team out of a rut.

It was almost all Liverpool as they came close to holding 70% possession opening the scoring in the ninth minute via an ice-cold finish from Jordan Henderson. Being set up by Andrew Robertson, Henderson fired a first time finish that gave Jordan Pickford no chance at saving it. It was clear what kind of game this would turn into as minutes later Andros Townsend was booked for diving as he tried to get a penalty to bring Everton level. Soon after, Salah took advantage of a missed tackle from Ben Godfrey to turn a solo run from the center circle into Liverpool's second of the day.

Everton thought they were climbing back into things at the half as they would get one back via Richarlison putting Demarai Gray through on goal but after the break, but Liverpool hit another gear. Salah would get another taking advantage of a Seamus Coleman mistake and Diogo Jota would also get on the scoresheet with a tidy finish from an acute angle. 

Another disappointing result for Everton as their home fans left the stadium early but Liverpool keeps their torrid pace going in a title race for the ages. This is now three straight games for Liverpool scoring four goals and the 18th straight that they've scored two or more goals in as they can't be stopped in their current form.

Here are three takeaways from the match:

1. We've got a title race, folks

Taking a look at the table, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are separated by only two points. This could be a race for the ages as all three teams are deep enough to balance Champions League obligations with obliterating the rest of the Premier League. Any dropped points are an opportunity for other teams and each boast goal difference of +20 when the next best team in the Premier League only has one of +8. It was thought that another team could at least push them until January, but the big three already opened a gap of seven points on fourth place thanks to West Ham's draw to Brighton.

2. Is Robertson back?

After a tough beginning of the season that saw Robertson miss a few games due to injury and where he needed rest due to his international schedule for Scotland, questions began to crop up about if Robertson had lost a step. Strong sub appearances from Konstantinos Tsimikas only made those questions grow louder. Combine that with Trent Alexander-Arnold's strong form and it was easy to forget that Robertson was even on the field as Liverpool moved the ball up the right side of the pitch with ease. Fast forward and after a brace of assists on Wednesday, Robertson now has picked up three assists in his last two games and is also second among defenders for assists joint with Reece James. As teams key in on Alexander-Arnold, they need to remember that Robertson could be bombing down the flanks too.

3. What can Rafa do?

During their winless streak beginning on Oct. 2, Everton are bottom of the form table behind Newcastle United only picking up two points. They've scored the joint fewest goals in the Premier League tied with Brighton. They've allowed the most goals along with Watford and Manchester United. While expected goal numbers like their prospects a little more, it doesn't make for pretty viewing when a team has been bad at both attacking and defending for two months running. Considering that one of their losses involved conceding five to Watford, it can't all be chalked up to injuries either as the team slides further and further down the table. Benitez has to find something to kick start this team soon because fans are losing faith too. If it doesn't change he could be the next manager replaced in a league that waits for no one.

[Dec 1, 2021 at 4:54 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Acute angles? No problem for Jota!

Four goals scored for the third straight game, no one can stop Liverpool now

[Dec 1, 2021 at 4:39 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

MO SALAH AGAIN!

Colemen gives the ball away and Salah is off to the races again. Everton were just getting back into things but it's out of sight now. 3-1 Liverpool.

[Dec 1, 2021 at 4:38 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Everton has a free kick chance as Robertson fouls Gordon picking up a yellow card. Townsend takes the chance and the wall turns it into a corner kick.

[Dec 1, 2021 at 4:34 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

More injury worries for Everton as Salomon Rondon has been withdrawn for Anthony Gordon.

[Dec 1, 2021 at 4:30 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Close from Thiago as he's looking for a goal in three straight games.