A Merseyside Derby with the Toffee's of Everton proved to be anything but sweet for Liverpool. The Reds surrendered two set-piece goals in a 2-0 loss that saw Liverpool all but eliminated from the Premier League Title chase.
First Half
Everton fired a warning shot inside of three minutes, but the chance was wide. Everton were awarded a penalty moments later it was reversed by VAR due to offside. Toffee defender Ben Godfrey stopped a Liverpool goal as he turned away a Mohamed Salah cross in the box.
The match settled down from that point until the 17th minute when Alisson saved a header. Liverpool responded with a corner in the 21st minute, but it was cleared. Everton drew first blood as the ball was pinged around in the box and Jarrad Branthwaite cleaned up the chance by poking the ball just across the line.
Darwin Núñez forced a save in the 35th minute, as did Luis Diaz in the 44th. Núñez had another opportunity moments later but Evererton somehow kept the ball out to lead 1-0 at the break.
Second Half
Liverpool earned a corner in the 47th and the 52nd minutes but they could not score. Salah forced a save in the 55th as Liverpool's pressure began to build. However, Everton struck again from a set piece corner as Dominic Calvert-Lewin outjumped Trent-Alexander Arnold for a headed goal and a 2-0 Everton lead in the 58th minute.
Liverpool kept pushing to get back in the game and they had plenty of chances to do so. The Reds took 23 shots over the 90 minutes plus stoppage time. The best chance to do so came in the 69th minute when Diaz rattled the bar, but the ball stayed out. Everton goalie Jordan Pickford also covered himself in glory, making six saves on the night to seal a victory for the Toffee's victory.
The Wrong Side Of History
This was Everton's first Derby win at Goodison Park since 2010. Liverpool had gotten results in 26 out of the last 27 meetings. It also assures that Everton will avoid relegation while also ending Liverpool's title hopes with four games remaining in the season.
Set Piece Struggles
Not only did Liverpool surrender both goals on set pieces, a free kick, and a corner, but even when Everton did not score, they won the first-time headers for most of the match. The commentary team said they had never seen Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold lose so many headers in the air.
Putting It In Perspective
While it is extremely unlikely that Liverpool will now win the title, fans should still consider this season a success. Liverpool are back in the Champions League and they were able to add a Carabao Cup to the trophy case. A Top 3 finish might be disappointing but it is a solid result for whomever the new boss is to build upon.
LFC Globe Verdict
This was a bad game, it looked as if the players, particularly Mohamed Salah were not engaged at all. As much as I hate to say it, Jürgen Klopp also seemed disinterested in the latter stages of the match from the touchline, I think the young players should see the majority of the minutes for the final three games, let Klopp enjoy his well-deserved sendoff and then we can turn our attention to next season.
Man Of The Match
There aren't that many good choices. Luis Diaz did have a solid performance and nearly put Liverpool on the board, but he was unlucky to hit the post.
What's Next
Liverpool will host West Ham United On Saturday afternoon April 27th in Klopp's penultimate game at Anfield. Kickoff is set for 12:30 BST.
Goals
Everton
- Jarrad Branthwaite 27'
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin 58'
Liverpool
- None
Substitutions
Everton
- Ashley Young for Vitalii Mykolenko HT'
- Amadou Onana for Idrissa Gueye 75'
- Youssef Chermiti for Donoic Calvert-Lewin 90+'
Liverpool
- Jarell Quansah for Ibrahima Konate 63'
- Wataru Endo for Doninik Szoboszlai 63'
- Harvey Elliott for Curtis Jones 63'
- Joe Gomez Trent Alexander-Arnold 84'
- Kostas Tsimikas for Andy Robertson 84'