Was that all? A collapse against Everton has sunk Liverpool’s dream

Everton ended their nightmare run at home in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool. The Toffees beat their city rivals 2-0 at home – something that last happened in October 2010 – and with the success dealt a blow to the Reds’ ambitions in the Premier League title race, which is the final right.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are three points behind leaders Arsenal, while Manchester City, who are third and a point behind the Merseysiders, have two games in hand at the moment. Ironically, Klopp has not lost at Goodison Park in his England career so far, but had to taste defeat in his last outing here in charge of the big city rivals.

And last but not least, Everton took a serious breather in the fight for survival in the elite and are now eight points behind the first team below the relegation line, Luton. As for the long streak without a win at home – in that one in 2010, one of the goals was the work of Mikel Arteta, currently the manager of the leader Arsenal.

The stands erupted in the sixth minute when Alisson brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin and the referee awarded a penalty and booked the Brazilian goalkeeper. However, the decisions were overturned after consultation with the VAR, as the home team’s back nine was in an ambush. The visitors completely expectedly dominated the possession of the ball, but the home team stepped much more firmly in the one-on-ones, and also had an advantage in the static situations, creating a lot of problems for the opponent with the crosses.

In the 27th minute, Everton struck their first of the evening. A poor clearance from another cross led to serious confusion in the box and Jarrad Branthwaite was able to shoot and slip the ball under Alisson’s dive for 1-0.

Branthwaite’s goal was Everton’s first in the city derby in 438 minutes – Demarai Gray last scored against Liverpool in December 2021.

Liverpool surged forward but were never able to get the decisive last shot and had to concede a second goal shortly after the start of the second half. In the 58th minute Dominic Calvert-Lewin was left unmarked by Trent Alexander-Arnold at the far post from a corner and rose to head home to make it 2-0.

Luis Diaz could have reduced the deficit eight minutes later, but his fine diagonal shot hit Jordan Pickford’s post. In the rest of the match, it was the English international who proved to be the big barrier between the “reds” and the goal, as he frustrated the opponent’s players several times with brilliant saves.

The rest of the results:

Wolverhampton – Bournemouth 0:1

Crystal Palace – Newcastle 2:0

Manchester United – Sheffield United 4:2