One of English football’s fiercest local rivalries, the Merseyside derby, returned with a bang on Wednesday evening (April 24) as Liverpool made the short trip to Everton’s Goodison Park. In their last meeting earlier this season, the Reds rolled around the Blues at Anfield Stadium and secured a comfortable 2-0 win. At Goodison, Everton took revenge with a 2-0 win against the Premier League contenders. It was their first win over Liverpool at Goodison Park since October 17, 2010. This game also ended 2-0, with current Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta scoring the winning goal for Everton.
Clinical finishing and Jordan Pickford get Everton over the finish line against Liverpool
Everton were struggling near the relegation zone and needed a standout performance to get something out of their game against their more experienced rivals. Sean Dyche understood the task perfectly and put his team together to the best of his ability. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was given license to stalk the Reds’ defenders, while players like Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski took the fight to them from set pieces.
Calvert-Lewin had the first attack on Liverpool’s defense line in the sixth minute when he won a penalty after diving into the Reds’ penalty area under pressure from Alisson. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, but the VAR overturned his decision a few minutes later. Calvert-Lewin was found to be in an offside position when he received the ball from Jack Harrison and charged into the penalty area. The visitors created a few good chances in the following 10 minutes, but their finishing wasn’t quite up to par.
Everton were under pressure in the 27th minute and took the lead thanks to Branthwaite’s sharp reflexes. Alisson did a good job of parrying the centre-back’s header from a free kick. However, he couldn’t get it out of harm’s way. The ball found its way to Ben Godfrey, who tried to shoot it into the goal. The ball hit some obstacles again and landed at the feet of Branthwaite, who made another attempt from close range. His shot slipped under Alisson and went over the goal line before Calvert-Lewin fired it into the goal. Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson all tested the goalkeeper before the referee blew his whistle at the end of the first half, but Jordan Pickford refused to give up.
Just after the hour, Everton doubled their lead thanks to an unstoppable header from Calvert-Lewin. Dwight McNeil delivered a flawless corner at the far post and the striker used his neck muscles to fire the ball fizzing past the goalkeeper.
Diaz hit the post in the 69th minute while Harvey Elliott and Salah saw two excellent shots saved by Pickford at the death, capping a disappointing evening for the away fans.
Jurgen Klopp could face a disappointing end to his final season at Anfield
When Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp announced his decision to step down at the end of the season, his team was well positioned in all major cup competitions. They were favorites to reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals against Atalanta, were expected to knock out Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and had a real chance of winning the Premier League.
Things have gotten worse in the last month and a half. In mid-March, Manchester United beat them 4-3 in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Last week they were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League after suffering a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Atalanta. They have now slipped to second place in the Premier League standings, having played two more games than third-placed Manchester City, who are just one point behind. Even if the Cityzens slip up, Liverpool would have no advantage in the title race as league leaders Arsenal, who are three points clear, would drop out.
Thanks to the Carabao Cup win in February, Klopp won’t end the season without a trophy. But it’s unlikely to be the dream farewell every Liverpool fan was praying for.