"The present and the future" - Liverpool fans find their voices after beating Everton in the Merseyside derby

Liverpool fans were very happy with their victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby, especially with the performance of Stefan Bajcetic.

With their own poor form in the Premier League combined with the new manager bounce that their rivals had seen in the win over Arsenal, Liverpool fans weren't confident going into Monday night's game.

It was a must win for Jurgen Klopp's side, who are still desperately trying to battle into a position to finish in the top four this season.

They needn't have worried however, as there was any number of positives for them, as they easily swept aside their close rivals from across Stanley Park.

First Mohamed Salah opened the scoring from a classic counter, just seconds after an Everton corner, showing glimpses of the old Liverpool.

In the second half Cody Gakpo ended his goal drought at the beginning of his Reds' career, as the hosts doubled their lead, whilst Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino both came on in the second half to return from injury.

Whilst those were the headlines for Klopp's team, the continued brilliance of young midfielder Bajcetic in the middle of the park was probably the biggest plus.

"Bajcetic composure standing out yet again. Even if things are busy around him he remains calm, focused. Such an old head on him," journalist David Cartlidge said.

"Stefan Bajcetic. The present and the future," Liverpool writer Neil Jones simply put it.

One fan added, "Stefan Bajcetic is only 18 playing his 1st full season and already is our best midfielder right now. This kid is special."

Liverpool were much the better team. Image: Alamy

The 18-year-old is even turning the most negative of fans, with one saying, "I'm usually pretty pessimistic over the prospects of our youth players having witnessed so many false dawns.

"But Bajcetic is the best since Trent's breakthrough, easily. Maybe even more impressive given the context of what he's had to come into," high praise indeed.

A fourth was impressed with the teenager's age, posting, "Bajcetic is so good it's frightening. He was 18 in October and this is a derby. There's no way he should be this composed. He's such a talent."

There was high praise in the form of a comparison from another fan, who replied, "Nice of Bajcetic to turn into Xabi Alonso for us."

The Reds had failed to win any of their league games since the turn of the year, only defeating Wolves in a FA Cup replay, only to get knocked out in the following round any way.

Salah and Gakpo's goals earned them all three points for the first time since defeating Leicester City at the end of last year and put them above Chelsea.

However, despite earning all three points, they still remain nine points outside of the top four, which is the minimum for them in any given season.

Next they face the team who currently hold that position, Newcastle United, before facing Real Madrid in the Champions League.