The opportunity arose earlier tonight for Everton to secure their first win at Anfield in a long, long time as they came up against a weakened Liverpool side in the Merseyside derby. They met in the third round of the FA Cup, and in the end, they were somewhat humiliated by this young Reds team that narrowly edged them out to make their way into the fourth round of football’s oldest club competition.
Liverpool’s youngsters gave as good as they got, but in truth, they didn’t get very much from Everton on the night. Carlo Ancelotti will be well aware of the fact that this team needs a lot of work, and their lethargic display served as proof of that. After a goalless draw in the first half it was 18-year-old Curtis Jones who curled in a magnificent winner with less than 20 minutes to go to send the Anfield faithful into a frenzy.
The youngster Jones spoke to the media in the wake of his historic goal.
The big brother wins again
“I just go out there and try and play my game.
“It’s been frustrating at times being on the bench and then getting a taste on the pitch and then being back on the bench.
“I’ve been basically begging to come on but hopefully I’ve topped it off with a good goal.
“I can’t sum up my emotions. For me it’s huge just being around this team every day and learning from this group of players. There are world-class players all over this team but I think I went out and showed what I could do on the pitch.”
One step beyond
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was, as you can imagine, happy with the win.
“They played brave football. Unbelievable individual performances from the kids and the adults as well.
“Adam Lallana – what a game, unbelievable. Joe Gomez – organising the whole defence for maybe the first time in his life.
“Sensational game and a sensational goal from a Scouser – who could ask for more? You cannot perform like the boys performed if you think you should not perform in that team.
“They all think like that. I am so happy they all showed up tonight. The only thing I didn’t want was a draw. We had to take some risks and it paid off.”
Match Report
Liverpool: Adrian (7.5), Milner (6.5), Gomez (7.5), Phillips (6.5), Williams (7), Jones (7.5), Chirivella (6.5), Lallana (7), Origi (7), Minamino (6), Elliott (7), Brewster (6), Oxlade-Chamberlain (6.5), Larouci (7)
Everton: Pickford (7), Coleman (6.5), Mina (7), Holgate (6.5), Sidibe (6.5), Schneiderlin (6.5), Sigurdsson (7), Digne (7), Walcott (6.5), Richarlison (6.5), Calvert-Lewin (7), Delph (6.5), Kean (6), Bernard (6.5)
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Goals: Jones
Yellow Cards: Digne
Red Cards: N/A
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