For one more Merseyside derby at Anfield, Liverpool maintained their steady grip on the Premier League title with a crucial win over their city rivals, Everton.
This performance puts Arne Slot’s side the fortunate 13 points shy of tying the record for 20th English top-flight victory, just needing those 13 points in eight more matches to haul in the crown.
The battle progressed with endurance and disruption as, for so long, Everton settled into detail an impenetrable wall against the Liverpool well.
Yet, as every best team does, Liverpool found its way through via a bolt of pure inspiration from Diogo Jota. Putting back all those expectations he had started gathering indifferently, the Portuguese forward went and coolly scored a beautiful individual goal 56 minutes into the match.
After gathering the bright back from Luis Diaz, the forward continued to show his really quick feet with Jota gliding by a couple of Everton defenders and slotted it in calmly past Jordan Pickford.
There was initial confusion over the legality of the goal since it seemed Diaz had been offside earlier in the move, but he was found not to have interfered with play.
Dramatic beginning and controversy in Merseyside Derby
The derby brought just as many moments of contention, as Tarkowski for Everton was the world’s luckiest man to stay on the pitch after a dangerous tackle on Alexis Mac Allister. The defender went in hard but took out Mac Allister’s knee rather than the ball in his follow-through. On-field yellow card, VAR reviewed and confirmed the decision. Frustration among Liverpool players and fans.
But they came very close to doing it again, with Dominik Szoboszlai taking the resulting free-kick, curling it narrowly over the target. It happened moments later that Mohamed Salah was presented with an opportunity to hand Liverpool the lead, but his effort from close range was directed simply at Pickford, who made a routine save.
Yet, while they still sat deep, Everton were a constant threat, counter-attacking. The home team was punished twice by their physical forward, Beto. Once, he beat past Virgil van Dijk to connect, but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside. Moments later, he again out muscled the Dutch defender but could get only his effort to hit the post and keep Liverpool off the hook.
The Reds are done with the first half now, and out of the tunnel to score against what immediately appeared to be an Everton wall of defense. Ryan Gravenberch took an early good opportunity to test Pickford early in the second with an exhilarating long-range effort, which the England keeper preserved as per normal practice.
Now this would be the moment everyone talked about in the match. Diaz at the edge of the box presented the ball to Jota, who moved into action on such a gentile back heel flick opening up a goal for him to weave through defenders and score. Finally, it had happened: Anfield burst into yet an even louder eruption.
From there, the Reds went into a possession game where the game was all Liverpool, and during the period of excitement for the active visiting club, there were too few glimpses into the opponent’s penalty area.
The visitors hefted the weighty demand of an equalizer, but the Liverpool defensive set-up stood resolutely against a handful of precious occasions. At the back, stalwarts Van Dijk and Konate operated together while the outlet from Everton’s wingers was likewise reduced due to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.
The Title Within Reach
Anfield was filled with red smoke and roars of “We’re gonna win the league” when the final whistle went. Liverpool with this win stretched their lead atop the table to a nearly unassailable 12 points. Manchester City hasn’t mounted a serious challenge this season while Arsenal has failed to keep pace; therefore, it looks like the title is ours to lose now.
Through time, Arne Slot has inherited a role directly from Jurgen Klopp. Under his guidance, the Merseyside have one of their best seasons in years. Heaps in front lead theirs with scoring – 70 for now – with at least 13 clean sheets: reflective of their defense.
Liverpool will look to continue their relentless domestic campaign with that in mind. Having already been ousted by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and lost to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, title math could be practically done on April 20 against Leicester City if all results go to plan.
Everton Left to Rue Missed Chances
It was a defeat for Everton after a nine-matching unbeaten streak and left manager David Moyes searching for that elusive win at Anfield in 22 attempts.
However, the positives they manage to take away from the experience mainly lie in their defensive organization. Unfortunately, the whole event becomes dampened with several chances missed, most notably Beto’s one-on-one.
The contentious calls made in this match have become one of the controversies now being talked about, aside from Tarkowski’s non-expulsion for the improper execution of his tackle.
Moyes expressed his dismay when he said, post-game, that everything would have turned out differently if the referee had been differently inclined in some decisions.
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What Next?
Liverpool looks forward to the next league fixture, where every point takes them closer to the end – lifting the Premier League trophy. This calls for maintaining consistency and avoiding complacency as the finish line nears.
Everton carries on its fight to end up strong in the league. They are clear of the relegation battle, but it is important for them to not find themselves involved in any struggles at the end of the season.
Their next games will go a long way in deciding a respectable finish on the table.
Final Thoughts
This latest Merseyside derby had thrills and spills again, and with an ounce of magic, it was to unfold.
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Liverpool managed to display the quality of champions by finding ways of winning despite not being able to break down Everton for most of the match. Jota’s brilliance secured their defensive solidity.
