DERBY A REMINDER CLUB COMES FIRST

AT THE finale of Liverpool's latest win in the Merseyside derby, there was a simple truth to be seen and heard.

- ANDY DUNN

A truth so simple, it barely needs telling: players will come and go but none are bigger than the club.

If all three of the superstars who are soon to be out of contract decide to leave Anfield, they will be sorely missed.

Again, that barely needs saying. Trent Alexander-Arnold has a very special skill set, Mohamed Salah is the best footballer in the Premier League with numbers that are truly remarkable, and Virgil van Dijk is an imperious leader and a peerless central defender.

But a win over Everton that was crucial in more ways than one-the three points and the response to the crushing League Cup final disappointment - was not about those three wonderful players (one was not playing, for a start).