Liverpool beat a battling Everton side 2-0 at Anfield to keep the pressure on Manchester City – and push their neighbors into the relegation zone
Liverpool beat a battling Everton side 2-0 at Anfield to keep the pressure on Manchester City – and push their neighbors into the relegation zone.
Andy Robertson's second-half header broke the deadlock in a tense game, and substitute Divock Origi nodded in the second from close range to seal the Merseyside derby victory.
It was far from easy for the title contenders, with Everton's resistance lasting over an hour and Sadio Mane lucky to stay on the pitch following a first-half altercation.
The three points bring Jurgen Klopp's team back within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City, while Everton are now two points from safety after Burnley's win earlier in the afternoon.
Player ratings
Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (7), Matip (7), Van Dijk (7), Robertson (9), Fabinho (7), Keita (6), Thiago (7), Salah (8), Jota (7), Mane (6).
Everton stifled their neighbors from the start, with Jordan Pickford taking his time with every kick, and the delaying tactics seemed to irritate both the home players and the fans.
Richarlison was down three times with minor injuries, Anthony Gordon was booked for a tumble, and Abdoulaye Doucoure was booked for a late tackle as Anfield erupted in protest.
Mane pushed Allan in the face and appeared to gouge Mason Holgate in the final incident before halftime. He could have been sent away.
It demonstrated that Everton were on their way to Liverpool.
News from the team
Liverpool made only two changes from their starting lineup against Manchester United on Tuesday night, with Diogo Jota and Naby Keita being drafted in for Jordan Henderson and Luis Diaz.
Fabian Delph was replaced by Abdoulaye Doucoure, while Yerry Mina was rested. Everton made another substitution just before kickoff, with Michael Keane replacing Ben Godfrey after warm-ups.
Liverpool increased the tempo in the second half, but it left gaps, with Gordon claiming a penalty after colliding with Joel Matip and then dragging a shot wide from another break.
The breakthrough came just after the hour mark, when Klopp went to his bench and brought on Origi and Luis Diaz, who changed the tempo of the game.
Origi's pass to Mohamed Salah allowed the Egyptian to stand a cross up to the far post, where Robertson nodded home Liverpool's first shot on goal.
The noise was incredible, and the relief was palpable. But there was still time for Everton to equalize, and Demarai Gray came close with a fierce long-range shot.
Despite this, it was cult hero Origi who had the final say, as he so often does in big games, poaching a chance from under the crossbar after Diaz's acrobatic attempt.
Liverpool's quest for the quadruple remains unabated. Everton simply hopes to be able to return to Anfield next season.
Carra explains his decision for man of the match.
"Who is your man of the match?" Martin Tyler asks.
"Divock Origi!" exclaims Jamie Carragher.
"Have you not sold Andy Robertson a little short there?" Martin Tyler asks.
"Well, he got the goal and made it," Jamie Carragher says “and made a vital clearance at one end, but Origi, for how long he's been on the pitch, he's involved in the first goal and gets the goal that wins the game for Liverpool."
blogpay
Total Comments: 0