Liverpool vs Everton: Liverpool beat a battling Everton side 2-0 at Anfield in a hard-fought triumph to keep the pressure on Manchester City – and push their rivals towards relegation.
In a tense encounter, Andy Robertson’s second-half header gave Liverpool the lead, and substitute Divock Origi added the second from close range to seal victory in the Merseyside derby.
Everton’s resistance lasted more than an hour, and Sadio Mane was fortunate to stay on the pitch following a first-half confrontation.
With the three points, Jurgen Klopp’s side has closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to just one point, while Everton is now two points out of safety following Burnley’s victory earlier in the afternoon.
Liverpool vs Everton: How did Liverpool get the edge against Everton?
Everton felt suffocated by their neighbors in red from the very beginning itself. Jordan Pickford, the Everton keeper took adequate time to make each kick to deter and delay the tactics of the home team.
The visitors faced a few issues over the course of the game as Richarlison went down with not-so-major injuries. Anthony Gordon was booked for simulating a dive. Abdoulaye Doucoure was booked as well for a tackle that was late, for which Anfield disapproved conspicuously.
Moments before the half-time, Sadio Mane could be seen pushing Allan in the face and gouging Holgate. He might as well have been sent off. It was evident that Everton was riling up Liverpool and was getting on to their nerves.
Also Read: Joel Matip: Liverpool Center-back out due to injury
Liverpool vs Everton: The change in momentum by Liverpool in the second half
The reds changed the pace and leveled it up in the second half but they had to fill huge gaps in the defense. Gordon appealed for a penalty when he got snarled with Joel Matip while trying to get the angle for a shot from the wide.
The breakthrough came shortly after the hour mark when Klopp brought on Origi and Luis Diaz from his bench, and the two substitutes drastically shifted the speed of the game.
With Origi’s pass to Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian was able to stand a cross up to the far post, where Robertson nodded home Liverpool’s first shot on target.
The commotion was incredible, and the relief was evident. Everton still had time to find an equalizer, and Demarai Gray came close with a ferocious long-range effort.
Despite this, it was cult hero Origi who had the ultimate word, as he so frequently does in crucial games, stealing a chance from beneath the crossbar after Diaz’s acrobatic attempt to hit the ball to the goal.
Liverpool vs Everton: Lampard claims for a sure penalty
The former Chelsea superstar and the Everton boss Frank Lampard finally opened up on the game yesterday. Lampard said that he is satisfied with the performance of his player and thought that they were spot on. He said that they gave him everything he wanted from players.
Although, he was not impressed with the decision of not awarding a penalty for a foul by Joel Matip on Anthony Gordon in the latter half.
