Everton 2 Liverpool 0
Everton welcomed their local rivals to Goodison Park for Jurgen Klopp’s last ever Merseyside derby. While The Toffees needed points to ensure their survival, the main aim for the evening was to put an end to The Reds’ title hopes this season.
As you would expect from a game of this magnitude, the tackles were flying in from the off. Tarkowski dispossessed Robertson with one such challenge just inside the Liverpool half and it gave Dyche’s side the chance to hit them on the counter.
McNeil played a sublime pass with the outside of his left foot and Calvert-Lewin ran onto it, taking the ball around Alisson then going to ground. There was no doubt the Liverpool keeper made contact and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
However, after another painfully long VAR review, the Everton striker was adjudged to be offside in the build-up. It was a huge let off for the visitors in a game where nothing but victory would keep their title ambitions alive.
Credit: @premierleague
It was all looking a little scrappy in the midfield of the park for Jurgen Klopp’s side. As The Toffees launched a free kick into the box, Tarkowski headed it across goal. Calvert-Lewin met it with a thunderous header but Alisson did well beat the ball clear.
Moments later Liverpool failed to clear their lines in the box and it broke to Branthwaite in the box. His shot squirmed under Alisson, hit the inside of the post and spun over the line. Goodison Park erupted as the goal was given.
The visitors looked to find an instant reply as Mac Allister and Salah combined to put Nunez through. With only Pickford to beat, either side of the keeper was a certain goal. Instead, the striker tried to break the net and hit it straight at Pickford in the Everton goal.
Just before the interval Nunez turned provider as he headed it into the path of Diaz. With only The Toffees’ keeper in his way, he again hit his effort straight at Pickford. Liverpool were showing the finishing skills of a tradesman on ‘Cowboy Builders’.
The Reds’ fans were beginning to worry about their sides inability to take their chances. As they gave away a corner, their defence showed all the organisation of the Taliban front line and Calvert-Lewin had a free header at the back post to make it two-nil.
As good as he is in the attacking areas, Alexander-Arnold’s positional awareness when defending is second only to Stevie Wonder. He just seemed to be watching things unfold like some sick voyeur intent on having the best view of Liverpool’s title dream ending.
Credit: @Everton
Jurgen Klopp stood on the touchline with a big grin on his face. Like someone working their months’ notice as they watched the office burn down around them dwelling on how two months ago, this would have been their responsibility to put out.
The only player really standing up to be counted for the visitors was Luis Diaz. He ran into the box, checked onto his right foot and drilled a shot at goal. He caught it perfectly, with Pickford beaten, only to see his effort come crashing back off the post.
Elliott had a volley from the edge of the box, only to see Pickford tip it over the bar at full stretch. Salah then was to try a volley in the box moments later but once again the Everton keeper clawed it out as he did all he could to protect his clean sheet.
Sean Dyche’s side held on for the win and send the fans home with bragging rights in the city. It is safe to say that the three-horse title race has lost a runner now as Jurgen Klopp’s final season seems set to become a whimper rather than the quadruple many dreamt of months ago.
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