Rarely has the Merseyside derby had such consequences at the top and bottom of the Premier League table, but rarely has the gap, the absolute gap between Liverpool and Everton, been so great.
Liverpool are definitely on the hunt for the title, reducing Manchester City’s advantage back to one point, with only five games left, and although Everton have not served their penalties, they feared their biggest fear was realized: they are now in the last three. The possibility of falling out is a rising, growing, revealing reality.
Burnley’s victory at home against Wolverhampton Wanders sent Everton to 18th place and although they showed fighting spirit and spirit and for a long time from this meeting pulled Liverpool in step, this was not enough in the end, despite the exceptional performance of Anthony Gordon. Next for them, next Sunday in Goodison Park, is the former club of Frank Lampard Chelsea.
However, Liverpool had to fight and fight hard to the end and again Divok Origi played his part at a key moment when he came off the bench and with what seemed like his first touch, helped shape the valuable goal that brought floods of relief around Anfield. And just as nerves began to grow, Origi scored his second goal – his sixth against Everton, more than he did against any other team – to confirm victory.
For Liverpool, this was a result that not only kept the dream of an unprecedented “four” alive, but for some there was the added malice of a possible “fifth”, helping to remove Everton from the championship for the first time since 1951.
Before the start, Everton fans turned their backs on the singing of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and were instigated by chanting “coming down” from the jubilant Liverpool supporters, especially after Origi’s goal.
The breakthrough came hours, seconds after Jurgen Klopp threw the dice and made his shifts, which certainly had an immediate effect and again showed the strength in depth that he developed. Once again, the changes made a difference. But it was the striker he succeeded in Origi who played his part as Mohamed Salah exchanged passes with him as he made his way to the right with Salah and then centered to the far post that was met by Andrew Robertson, who back through Jordan Pickford and the net.
However, Everton’s main tactic was not there. It was a desperate approach, ranging from cynicism: from a clear throw from Gordon to trying to trick referee Stuart Atwell into a yellow card for a yellow card, to a waste of time from Pickford to a two-time Richardson game. he went down, holding on to his face, and then when he hit the grass for the third time, when Atwell was fed up and ignored him, it caused a melee. It started with the clash of Lampard and Klopp on the goal line and against each other as they roared at each other and was followed by Abdullai Dukur, who overcame Fabinho with all the players who rushed. Ducur and Sadio Mane – for pressing Mason Holgate in the face, raising the expulsion – were warned and this summed up the interrupted and more than a bit tense first half, in which Liverpool claimed 86 percent possession, but could not even claim a blow to the goal.
The efforts of Manet, Diogo Giotto, and Salah flew high or wide, and frustration began to grow. In fact, the best opportunity came to Everton when Richardson stole the ball from Thiago Alcantara and released Ducur, who did not have the pace to take advantage of the space in front of him. Instead, he slammed a low blow through the door.
Everton were booed, much to the delight of Lampard, who would also be delighted with the battle and dexterity shown by his team, while Klopp would be angered by Liverpool’s lack of smoothness and slowness and how they therefore played in the hands of their opponents.
Liverpool needed to pick up the pace and there was certainly more urgency as they resumed, but that also meant they were vulnerable to a counterattack, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold pushing so high on the pitch. Everton broke up as Gordon passed again when Joel Matip chased him, but the appeal for a penalty was rejected before the winger was played by Alex Iwobi. This time he pulled his shot away.
After Robertson hit, Liverpool gained pressure, with Pickford denying Luis Diaz and Holgate heading Matip from the goal line, but there was another warning with Demaray Gray shooting right to the side and Alison sneaking in to close. Liverpool needed the comfort of a second goal and inevitably Origi secured it as a reserve.
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