Ronald Koeman has defended Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku following their performances in Everton's Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool.

Toffees boss Koeman admitted his team under-performed in the 3-1 loss at Anfield and accepted the pair could have played better.

But the Dutchman felt it was unfair for Barkley and Lukaku to be singled out.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Tuesday's Premier League trip to Manchester United, Koeman said: "What I don't like is too much individually about the performances of the players because it is a team, every individual is part of the team and the team was not good enough.

Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Simon Mignolet – 6 out of 10 Made a handful of important saves – only beaten by Pennington’s close range strike. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Nathaniel Clyne – 5 out of 10 Was pulled out of position at times and made a habit of playing very narrow. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Joel Matip – 6 out of 10 His work rate was relentless and he kept Lukaku out of the game. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Dejan Lovren – 7 out of 10 Committed to every challenge and loose ball – courageous defending throughout. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings James Milner – 6 out of 10 It was a classic Milner display – passed well, held his shape and worked hard. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Emre Can – 4 out of 10 Ruthlessly crashed into challenges, tackled half-heartedly and lost possession continuously. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Lucas – 6 out of 10 Read the game very well – dropped deep and opened up space in the midfield. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Georgino Wijnaldum – 5 out of 10 Drifted in and out of the game at times, but in possession he showed impressive vision and ability. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Sadio Mane – 7 out of 10 His opening goal was an example of his endless individual ability. Subbed off due to ankle injury. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Roberto Firmino – 6 out of 10 Worked hard to win possession, but his final product was sloppy at times. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Philippe Coutinho – 8 out of 10 Was Liverpool’s best player today – he was energetic, determined and his goal capped off a sublime performance. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Joel Robles – 4 out of 10 Was a victim of Liverpool’s sublime strike force but seemed out of position for all three of the home side's goals. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Matthew Pennington – 6 out of 10 Unexpectedly scored the equaliser, but then he was beaten by Coutinho for Liverpool’s second. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Ashley Williams – 6 out of 10 Tackled relentlessly and made countless clearances. However, some of his tackles looked dangerous. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Phil Jagielka – 7 out of 10 He cleared shots off the line, leaped in front of shots and saved the Everton side on numerous occasions. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Mason Holgate – 5 out of 10 Showed glimpses of brilliance going forward, but his countless deliveries into the box were over hit and out of control. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Tom Davies – 6 out of 10 Oozed with confidence and once again proved his prospects for the future. Still has plenty to learn, though. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Idrissa Gueye – 6 out of 10 Was a key element to Everton going forward, but he did drift out of position at times. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Leighton Baines – 5 out of 10 Played very deep, which resulted in a lack of width and menace for The Toffees on the front foot. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Ross Barkley – 6 out of 10 Should have been red carded just before the interval, but his performance improved sufficiently as the game progressed. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Romelu Lukaku – 4 out of 10 Showed no sign of being the Premier League’s scorer and caused few problems for the Liverpool defence. Liverpool 3 Everton 1 player ratings Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5 out of 10 Lacked service from the midfield, but the striker was invisible at times.

"I said not too much individually but maybe some players didn't perform at the level what maybe they showed in the last few games. Maybe, yes.

"Romelu, it was difficult. I spoke to Romelu, he was not really sharp, he was a little bit tired.

"(But) he's the top-scorer of the league. Why now about the Liverpool game (do) we need to criticise Rom? He's a great striker, he's working hard. It's a human boy, it's not always a 10, that's football and if you don't play football, maybe you don't understand it."

Moving on to England midfielder Barkley, Koeman added: "Ross played in a little different position than he played in the last few weeks. Of course, he lost several balls in the midfield, instead of playing a little bit faster and no dribbling with the ball.

"He needs to improve in that, but not to take out one or two (players for criticism) and that was the problem last Saturday, that's not fair.

"It's easy to give your opinion in front of the television without any responsibility. I'm happy, I see a lot of progress in the club, in the team, it's a whole season, it's not one game."

Barkley could have been sent-off for his reckless challenges (Getty)

Seventh-placed Everton can move above their opponents with victory at Old Trafford.

Koeman expects a tough match, despite United's struggles in front of their home fans this season.

"We know that they have difficulties at home, maybe in the last few home results, but they had a lot of ball possession and were the better team in every game," he added. "They had chances to score.

"They are still a really strong team."