Everton all but snuffed out Liverpool’s English title ambitions after the Reds deservedly won the north-west city derby 2-0 in a postponed round of 29 tie. Success in practice, but not in theory, sealed the Caramels’ survival in the Premier League’s elite, while the Reds, of equal value, could see their Premier League title aspirations dismissed.
The big heroes for Everton in the meeting were Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who with their two goals helped the hosts to reach the impressive success. Liverpool, for their part, showed for the umpteenth time in recent weeks rather hesitant actions in all phases of the game and although there were favorable chances to score, the success for Everton looks well deserved.
With this success, Everton have generated 33 points to their assets and are eight ahead of 18th-placed Luton Town. Liverpool remain second with 74 points, one ahead of Manchester City, but the reigning English champions are two games behind. Arsenal are the leaders with 77, but the Gunners also have two games more than the Citizens.
Apart from being the big city derby of the city of Liverpool, the meeting is also extremely important for both teams. Everton are in 16th place, 30 points, and are fighting hard not to be relegated to the lower tier of English football. Liverpool is second with 74 points and is in a fierce battle with Arsenal and Manchester City for the title of England.
The match by the River Mersey started at a whirlwind pace from both teams. First, Abdoulaye Doukoure had a fantastic goal situation but sent the ball wide. A sharp pass from Luis Diaz to Darwin Nunes followed, but the Uruguayan’s shot was no good. In the sixth minute, the Caramels were awarded a penalty after Dwight McNeill provided a lead pass to Calvert-Lewin and Ducouret. The former overpowered and eliminated Alisson, after which he was taken down and the referee awarded a penalty kick. However, after reviewing the situation, it was determined that there was an ambush of the attacker.
In the tenth minute, Alexander-Arnold passed to Salah, who tried to make a parallel pass to Darwin Nunes, but Ben Godfrey made a wonderful split to prevent a goal for the “Reds”. In general, the hosts in this match started much more actively, and in the 17th minute Everton had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring. From the foul, the ball was sent into the visitors’ box and eventually found its way to Calvert-Lewin, who headed in, but Alison Becker blocked with both hands.
The good game of the “caramels” was marked by a goal in the 27th minute. Liverpool were quite hesitant in a static situation and after a heavy series of ricochets the ball was shot over by Jarrad Branthwaite. Alisson reflected, but the ball went under his dive and the ball rolled into the goal, which was still brought in by Calvert-Lewin – 1:0 to Everton.
Ten before the end of the first half, Liverpool found themselves in a clear goal position after a wonderful lead pass from Mo Salah to Darwin Nunes. The Uruguayan striker shot very hard, but straight into the body of Pickford, who saved.
A minute before the end, the “reds” made a great combination through their three offensive players up front. Nunes headed it perfectly for Luis Diaz, who took a shot from a difficult position, but Pickford saved. The visitors’ lapses continued at full force and in the 45th minute, Salah twice attacked the Caramels goal after Nunes turned him back, but the Egyptian’s second effort flew high over the Caramels goal.
Immediately after the restart, Virgil van Dijk headed home from a corner, but Pickford showed confident hands to make the save. The “Reds” imposed massive territorial pressure on their opponent, who preferred to take the game deep in their own half.
In the 55th, Idrissa Gana Gay took a shot at the Liverpool goal, but Alisson saved. There was a swift counter-attack from the Reds after Diaz combined with Salah, but the No.11’s right-footed strike was no problem for Jordan Pickford. Shortly after, Dwight McNeill fired extremely hard at Liverpool’s goal from distance, but Liverpool’s Brazilian keeper cleared for a corner.
The home team got a corner kick in the 58th minute that brought them a goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold was extremely poor in his line-up which allowed Calvert-Lewin to rise. The striker candidate for England’s UEFA EURO 2024 shortlist rose to head the ball into the away goal for the second time.
In the 64th minute, Calvert-Lewin fought for the high ball and substitute Wataro Endo also acted hesitantly. Dwight McNeil took advantage and took it, then shot, but Andrew Robertson with his body blocked. Five minutes later, Diaz outplayed Godfrey on the left and fired hard across the diagonal, but his shot hit the left-hand post of the Everton goal.
A lull in play ensued from both teams and stoppage time saw a fine save from Pickford after a fine strike from Harvey Elliott. Shortly after, the English national goalkeeper made another save in the meeting against Mohamed Salah, and this was the last curious stroke in the meeting between the two teams.
FT / EVERTON – LIVERPOOL 2:0
1:0 Branthwaite 27′, 2:0 Calvert-Lewin 68′
Referee: Andy Madley
Stadium: “Goodison Park” (Liverpool, England)
Everton: Pickford, Godfrey, Tarkovsky, Branthwaite, Mikolenko, Gana, Garner, Ducouret, Harrison, McNeill, Calvert-Lewin
Manager: Sean Dyche
Liverpool: Alisson – Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Soboslay, Jones, McAllister, Diaz, Nunes, Salah
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
Tags: Liverpools title bids halted Everton Soccer World England
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