SAINTS fullbacks Tino Livramento and Kyle Walker-Peters have been named as this week’s best performers in their respective positions across Europe’s top five leagues, according to stat website WhoScored.com.

It was an all-round strong performance from Saints as they saw off Frank Lampard’s Everton side 2-0, with goals from Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long.

Walker-Peters was a constant threat cutting in from the left, whilst Livramento kept Everton occupied down the right flank, providing a perfectly weighted cross for Saints’ second goal. Defensively, both more than played their part in recording Saints’ first cleansheet in 15 games.

Liverpool star Mo Salah and German internationals Mats Hummels and Marco Reus were also named for their performances, indicating the quality of players selected.

The entire backline that comfortably kept Everton at bay on Saturday were all previously named in the website’s Premier League team of the week, but only Livramento and Walker-Peters were rated high enough to be named in the European-wide selection.

Livramento, who was making his first league start of 2022, was also named in ex-Saint Alan Shearer’s Premier League team of the week.

In an explanation to how the ratings are worked out, WhoScored.com states on its website: “Ratings are based on a unique, comprehensive statistical algorithm, calculated live during the game.

“There are over 200 raw statistics included in the calculation of a player's rating, weighted according to their influence within the game.

“Every event of importance is taken into account, with a positive or negative effect on ratings weighted in relation to its area on the pitch and its outcome.”

Out of the two, Walker-Peters was rated slightly higher, with the former Tottenham player handed an 8.5 rating. Livramento was not far behind with an 8.4, with the Cobham product continuing his strong run of form since arriving from Chelsea last summer.

Potentially one of Livramento or Walker-Peters might not have even played if left-back Romain Perraud was fit. The Frenchman had started Saints’ trips to Tottenham and Manchester United, but was unable at the weekend due to COVID.

The enforced swap was the only change in the starting line-up, as Walker-Peters seamlessly shuffled across to left-back, with Livramento reintroduced to the side at right-back.