The best performance by the team at Goodison Park has to be the resounding victory over their archrivals.
The collapse of the Reds' title defence was caused by an injury to van Dijk, but they bounced back with a 4-1 victory at Goodison, their biggest win there since 1982.
"It was the best performance we've shown since I've been at Goodison," he said.
We've had some good games here but not as good as tonight, and we were never as convincing as we were tonight. I'm really happy that we won the game.
The German claimed that Wednesday's performance was the latest example of how the Reds have evolved under his watch into a ruthless force.
"We have had to learn how to play these kind of games since I have been at the club," he said. "We had to learn to play at Goodison and Old Trafford, and tonight we showed we have taken a big step in our development."
It doesn't mean anything for the future, but it shows that we have to reach this level to overcome these teams.
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The injuries to Van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara sustained by the Toffees last season made it even more important for the Reds to handle their emotions on an emotional night.
"First and foremost you need to have the right mood and mindset, because we are very emotional football team," said the manager. Emotions are good, but they are not the most important thing.
The two big games for us are against Manchester United andEverton. If you want to play your best football, you have to learn how to keep yourself calm.
It was the first time in 33 years that the Reds scored four goals in an away match. A rampant.
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December 1, 2021.
I told the boys that they had to be honest and that there was not one derby at Goodison where I thought that was a great game. There was a lot of room for improvement. I wanted us to be angry but also aggressive in a football way.
There are times when you have to pass the ball around their formation, but you cannot win the ball back without anger or greed. For that, you need a different mindset.
Rafa isn't worried about his job.
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In the 4-1 loss to the Reds, the boss says everyone is disappointed and mistakes cost them.
Two goals from Mohamed Salah were sandwiched between Jordan Henderson's opener and Diogo Jota's goal as the home side were completely outclassed in their own backyard.
The gulf in class and application was huge when the fourth goal went in, and home supporters streamed for the exits.
In the last 11 years, the home derby has not been won byEverton, who have taken just two points from a possible 24. The problems are piling up for him, but he tried to remain positive and hope that when Dominic and Yerry Mina return from injury, things will improve.
He said that everyone has to be disappointed that they lost the derby. We lost because we made mistakes.
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We have seen how successful the club has been in recent years. If you don't do things right and we don't do things right, it can happen.
"We gave them the chance to score, against any other team maybe it would not be so bad, but against a top side with top-class players, you suffer and pay for that."
At the beginning of the season, everyone was so happy with the way we were playing and winning that I have to take the positives. We have to go back to the beginning.
We have to get these players back and we will have more competition in the team, and we can play at the level before.
He was asked if the derby defeat would affect his position. I have enough experience to be a professional. When a team is giving everything, I can see it. The players are here.
We need to see the commitment, desire and intensity. We made mistakes today. As a manager, you expect your players to give their all.
