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EVERTON WIN THE MERSEYSIDE DERBY

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Goals from Richarlison and Sigurdsson in each half were enough for Everton to get their first Merseyside Derby to win at Anfield since 1999, adding salt to Liverpool’s bad run-of-home games.

ABOUT THE GAME

Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged line-up, after their win against Leipzig, with Kabak and Henderson as the center-back pairing. The visiting manager named a strong side with Coleman, Rodriguez, and Gomes all coming in. Their star striker Calvert-Lewin was on the bench after returning from injury.

Anyone following these Merseyside derbies was well aware of the dominance Liverpool had in these fixtures but with so many injuries this was the game where winds were about to change. The history was with Liverpool as they were unbeaten in their last 23 meetings with the blues (W11 D12), their longest unbeaten run against an opponent in their history.

It was an unexpected moment when The Blues secured an early lead when Rodriguez’s excellent through ball was well received by Richarlison, who beat Alisson by finding the far bottom corner at 3’ of the game.

Liverpool tried to come back to life after that early shock from Richarlison with both Mane and Salah pressing high up the field trying to get past the Everton Defence. Liverpool was looking a bit better now as Mane drilled a pass to Alexander-Arnold who had a go but Pickford made a brilliant save keeping the visitors in the game.

There was great pressure from the Reds but another shock came, in the form of an injury to their captain at the 25’. It looked like a serious muscular injury and Henderson was obviously in serious pain. This made Klopp use his first substitution at 30’ by bringing in Nathaniel Phillips.

Even though it was early in the game, it looked as if this Merseyside Derby will be going in an unexpected way with Everton trying to grab the opportunity of a new and inexperienced center-back pairing after Liverpool’s injury. It was Liverpool’s center-back pairing that looked off-color for obvious reasons, but the teams’ full-backs tried their best to get their cross inside the opposition’s box so that the attackers could find the net. Half Time approached with Everton leading the game 0-1, thanks to the goal from Richarlison.

The Second half started as an all-out attack from Liverpool who looked desperately for an equalizer. However, Everton’s no.1 was showing a great character with some great saves from the opponent’s attack and he was assisted by his defensive line, as they made some important blocks in the game.

From 59’, there were some subs from both sides Ancelotti brought in Sigurdsson for Gomes who was on a yellow card and then Calvert-Lewin for Rodriguez, and Klopp brought in Shaqiri for Jones in the midfield to have more control in the game.

At 81’, Everton was awarded a penalty when Calvert-Lewin was fouled inside the box by Alexander-Arnold. Even though VAR was checked to confirm the decision, it just wasn’t Liverpool’s day, the referee pointed to the spot and it was Sigurdsson who drilled it into the back of the net, making it 2-0 for Everton!

The Liverpool attack did try their best to make a comeback into the game, Jordan Pickford was having the game of his life as he made some astonishing saves in the game time after time.

The full-time whistle blew and Everton finally won at Anfield for the first time since 1999. Jordan Pickford was solid at goal and the whole Everton team played their hearts out in this local derby.

INSIGHTS FROM THE GAME

  • This was Everton’s first win at Anfield since 1999.
  • Liverpool has lost 4 consecutive home league games for only the second time, last doing so in December 1923.
  • Sigurdsson has scored 5 away goals against Liverpool in all competitions- more than he has away at any other opponent in his career in England.
  • This is the first time in 21 PL Merseyside Derbies that Everton has scored the opening goal against Liverpool, the last time they did this was in 2010.
  • Roberto Firmino became 2nd Brazilian to have 200 appearances for Liverpool after Lucas Leiva (247).

 

Written by khalid mustafa beg

An Army Brat and a defence aspirant, Khalid Mustafa Beg, currently pursuing B.A. LL.B. from Sharda University, hails from the hills of Jammu and Kashmir. He is a football and Manchester United fanatic and an avid reader of books and novels. He is a passionate and hard-working person who is disciplined in his approach and loves to spend time with his dear ones and is very jolly in nature. He has big ambitions and looks to give back to society and help others with his knowledge and influence.

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