Marking their return from March’s worldwide break on Wednesday evening, Liverpool claimed Merseyside bragging rights as they secured a 1-0 victory towards arch-rival Everton at Anfield.
Whereas the Reds may need prolonged on their Premier League romp right here, Everton got here near silencing the house assist halfway via the first-half as Beto noticed his strike dominated out by VAR.
In what was one other fiery Merseyside derby, James Tarkowski extremely lucky to remain on the pitch after he gained the ball with a sliding problem however caught Alexis Mac Allister on the knee together with his studs with the follow-through.
It was ultimately Portuguese worldwide Diogo Jota who proved to be Arne Slot’s saviour because the ex-Wolves star slotted house previous Jordan Pickford following a solo run.
Reestablishing their 12-point lead on the high of the Premier League desk, Liverpool actually claimed what was a much-welcomed enhance following on from their public heartbreak previous to the fortnight interval.
On an evening when Slot’s aspect moved inside touching distance of this season’s crown, we’ve taken a have a look at the primary speaking factors from Wednesday’s showdown.
Liverpool take one other big leap
Whereas Liverpool may need watched their respective EFL Cup and Champions League desires go up in smoke previous to March’s worldwide break, the Reds actually claimed what was a vital enhance right here.
With their possibilities of securing an iconic silverware sweep slipping via their fingers, Wednesday’s hosts are merely seeking to log out their Premier League romp with a flurry.
Edging previous their arch-rivals right here and claiming Merseyside bragging rights, the previous Feyenoord boss would have merely been relived to see his squad keep away from what would have been one other public banana pores and skin.
Watching Arsenal declare a 2-1 victory towards Fulham on Tuesday evening, the Reds as soon as once more reestablished their 12-point buffer on the high of the desk they usually have loved a sensational top-flight romp this season.
In reality, Slot’s males require solely 13 factors from a attainable 24 obtainable to ensure a deserved and record-equalling twentieth home title.
Everton rue a missed alternative
With Liverpool struggling main EFL Cup ultimate heartbreak at Wembley on March sixteenth as they fell to a 2-1 loss within the capital, Everton travelled throughout Stanley Park smelling the possibility to money in on a possible hangover within the pink half of Merseyside.
Nevertheless, though the Toffees may need loved an actual resurge since David Moyes’ emotional return to Goodison Park again in February, Wednesday’s visitors have now picked up only a single win from any of their earlier eight appearances throughout all competitions.
Watching their FA Cup journey come to an finish on February eighth following a 2-0 loss at house towards Bournemouth, Everton have additionally prolonged on their Anfield rut.
Together with shedding every of their earlier 4 journeys to Anfield by an combination rating of 7-0, they’ve additionally recorded only a single Premier League victory at Anfield since approach again in 1999.
Sadly for Everton, issues don’t get any simpler for Moyes’ males as they welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park this weekend.
Jota saves the day at Anfield
With Mohamed Salah nonetheless on the coronary heart of what has change into a public switch saga because the Egyptian icon stays within the ultimate few months of his deal at Anfield, it seems an actual attacking overhaul may very well be accomplished this summer season.
With continued hypothesis that Darwin Nunez is just not a part of Slot’s long-term plans forward of subsequent season, Jota underlined his worth to Liverpool’s squad on Wednesday evening.
Bagging what was an exquisite solo winner right here and notching a primary Premier League strike since a 1-1 stalemate towards Nottingham forest on January 14th, the previous Wolves star stays a agency fan favorite round Anfield.
With Slot making it clear that the versatile 28-year-old can play a number one position over the ultimate couple of months, Jota seems to be one attacking star who can be staying put an Anfield forward of the 2025/26 marketing campaign.
Match Report
Liverpool: Kelleher, Jones, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Salah, Jota
Subs: Endo, Nunez, Gakpo
Everton: Pickford, Mykolenjo, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O’Brien, Garner, Gueye, Alcaraz, Doucoure, Harrison, Beto
Subs: Broja, Ndiaye, Younger, Chermiti, Iroegbunam
Targets: Jota (57’)
Yellow Playing cards: Liverpool: Jota, Nunez – Everton: Beto, Tarkowski
Purple Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Samuel Barrott
