Virgil van Dijk played down his struggles during the first half of Wednesday's Merseyside derby, a half in which Jamie Carragher said that the Liverpool captain had helped to make Everton striker Beto look like a "prime Didier Drogba".

Beto had the ball in Everton's net at one stage during the first half, outmuscling Van Dijk before slotting the ball past Alisson at close range, but a VAR check saved the Dutchman's skin as it proved the 27-year-old was marginally offside.

Virgil van Dijk responds to question on Caoimhin Kelleher future	Jamie Carragher aimed brutal Didier Drogba jibe at Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate	Virgil van Dijk casually destroys Michael Owen in frosty post-match interview after derby win

Later on in the half, Van Dijk misjudged a bouncing ball which allowed Beto to take possession, running through on Caoimhin Kelleher's goal but whipping his effort against the post.

Liverpool’s two center-backs have been brilliant for the majority of the season but they’re making Beto look like prime Didier Drogba.

There was, like I said, an offside goal and one that I just have to clear

Yeah, what I said, it doesn’t define the whole performance in my opinion.”

Everton's attacking threat disappeared in the second half, and the Reds emerged as 1-0 victors courtesy of a goal from Diogo Jota
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