Liverpool’s main man – Coutinho
The 228th Merseyside derby did not disappoint.
It never actually does as we are talking about a game with special significance, more so today, when both Liverpool and Everton headed into the match on the back of a positive form and in the middle of the run for a top-four finish.
Liverpool ended up continuing their fine record against the city rivals in an exciting match which puts another spin on the top four fight.
Read our match report after the 3-1 win for the Reds:
Form Guide & Team News
Jurgen Klopp’s charges are coming off from a three-match unbeaten run, which saw them beat the likes of Arsenal and Burnley before drawing at Manchester City prior to the international break.
The Toffees have also improved their showings of late and were coming off from successive high-margin wins over WBA and Hull City, which saw them score seven and preserve clean sheets on both occasions.
Merseyside is a different affair, though, with Everton still waiting for the first win at Anfield since 2010.
Both teams had a couple of selection worries ahead of the match. The hosts had to do without Adam Lallana and captain Jordan Henderson, whereas Daniel Sturridge, Ings and Ejaria completed the injury list.
On the other side, Ronald Koeman was also forced to play without several first-team regulars as Bolasie, Mori, Schneiderlin, McCarthy and unlucky Coleman were all ruled out due to respective injuries.
First Half
It took Sadio Mane more than 90 minutes to score a goal in the last Merseyside derby, but the Liverpool star was significantly quicker to break the deadlock today as he found the net for the Reds from the first real attack in the game.
December derby’s matchwinner used the space in the midfield to produce a brilliant run through the middle and drift into the box before tucking the ball below young Pennington and past Joel Robles after eight minutes in the game.
Everton’s 22-year-old defender who got a rare star due to Funes Mori’s season-ending injury was given a chance to make it up for the poor positioning 20 minutes later, when he took advantage of Liverpool’y yet another terrible piece of defending.
The Reds’ defenders were watching the ball bounce in the box motionlessly as Peddington prodded home from close range on his first Premier League outing of the campaign.
Unfortunately for Everton however, young Peddington was once again on the receiving end of criticism 177 second later, when he failed to cover Philippe Coutinho who turned the young defender inside out before curling home to help Liverpool regain their advantage with a piece of magic for a comfortable lead at the half time.
Second Half
Everton trailed Liverpool at half time 17 times before in Merseyside derbies and 17 times they failed to win.
Today ended up being no different and Ronaldo Koeman will have his terrible defending to blame for such a negative outcome. Liverpool’s well-documented defensive issues were overshadowed by todays utterly disappointing performance from Everton’s back line.
A moment from the 61st minute is there to support the claim as the second-half substitute Divock Origi hammered the ball past Robles after only several minutes spent on the pitch.
The Belgian came on to replace injured Sadio Mane, who had to be withdrawn with what looked like it could be a long-term injury. The Reds have suffered without Mane before, but Origi made sure his absence was not felt when he lost his marker at the edge of the box and planted a powerful shot straight down the middle. The Everton goalkeeper proved to be equally terrible as his teammates in front of him.
The Toffees shot-stopper did manage to step up his game when he put in a decent save to deny another second-half sub Alexander-Arnold in his attempt to push the scoreline to 4-1. The Liverpool youngster fired not that of a powerful shot from inside the box on Emre Can’s assist and Robles flew in the air to push it away from goal.
Premier League’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku was completely cut off at Anfield and Everton failed to do anything noteworthy to shake the things up and attempt to get back I nthe game until the end.
Liverpool ended up recording the 14th league game without defeat against their city rivals, remaining in third place on the table, two points ahead of Manchester City who have two games in hand over the Reds.
Guardiola’s men play Arsenal on Sunday and Chelsea next week, which makes the top four race open and quite interesting once again.
Statistical Overview
- Reds had 52% possession to Everton’s 48%
- Liverpool go 14 league games without a defeat vs Toffees
- Everton suffered only their 2nd defeat in last 13 matches
- Liverpool failed to keep a clean sheet in fifth consecutive game
- Everton last defeated Liverpool in 2010
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet 6.5 – Clyne 7, Matip 7, Lovren 7, Milner 7 – Can 7, Leiva 6.5, Wijnaldum 7 – Mane 7.5 (Origi 7.5), Firmino 7 (Klavan -), Coutinho 8 (Alexander-Arnold 6.5)
Unused subs: Karius, Grujic, Moreno, Woodburn
EVERTON: Robles 5.5 – Pennington 5.5 (Barry 6), Williams 6.5, Jagielka 6 – Holgate 6.5, Davies 6 (Valencia 6), Gueye 5.5, Baines 6 – Barkley 6, Lukaku 6, Calvert-Lewin 6 (Mirallas -).
Unused subs: Stekelenburg, Kenny, Kone, Lookman.
REFEREE: Anthony Taylor
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