Mo Salah's Everton no-show brutally slammed by ex-Liverpool star in two-word verdict

Mohamed Salah was labelled as "non-existent" during 's as they edged out . The Reds needed a second-half strike from with the Egyptian struggling to have an impact.

Salah has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career amid later this year. The 32-year-old could still post career best figures having already exceeded the 30-goal mark but endured a rare off night on Wednesday.

Everton headed to their rivals having already held them to a dramatic draw earlier this season. The Toffees have also seen a huge upturn in form since returned to the club and had their chances with Beto hitting the post and having a goal disallowed.

The Everton backline was able to get Liverpool's clear-cut chances to a minimum and were able to keep Salah quiet with former Red Stephen Warnock delivering a scathing review of his performance. He told the : "Luis Diaz was the bright spark. was non-existent."

Going into the Merseyside derby Salah had scored in seven of his past eight games as he heads the Golden Boot standings, but Warnock insists the title chasers will be relieved to have got the win given how below par they were as a whole.

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He said: "Huge relief. A lot of fans came here tonight thinking, 'please win at any cost, make sure you get across the line'. They know what Everton are like, they sit in deep and they also realise that under David Moyes Everton carry a threat going forward. They thought this could have been the night that Everton came here and spoiled the party. They were poor Liverpool, but they have done enough to get across the line."

The win meant that Liverpool re-established their 12 point lead at the top over with a second Premier League triumph a case of when - not if. A strong end to the season could also see the Reds easily exceed the 90-point mark in Arne Slot's first season.

The Dutchman is seeking to replicate Jurgen Klopp's top flight success and he knew going into the derby that his team would have to dig deep. He said: "Hard-fought, definitely, but that was no surprise. Everton were nine games in a row unbeaten, hardly ever concede a goal, hardly ever concede a chance, defend with 10 players apart from Beto in and around their 18-yard box.

"With players like [James] Tarkowski and [Jarrad] Branthwaite it is almost of no use to bring a cross in because they head every ball away. So, they are a team that is difficult to play against because they are also a threat on the counter-attack."

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