Liverpool FC pull level with Manchester City in the title race with a derby win over Everton FC. Against compact Toffees, Robertson redeemed the Reds before Origi decided the game
Reds coach Jurgen Klopp made two changes from the 4-0 defeat to Manchester United: Keita and Diogo Jota started for Henderson and Luis Diaz.
Everton coach Frank Lampard made three changes from the 1-1 draw with Leicester, with Holgate, Doucouré and Keane coming in for Yerry Mina, Delph and Godfrey, who was injured in the warm-up.
Toffees wall themselves into the break
From the start, the hosts took control of the game and had much more possession against compactly defending Toffees. But the visitors’ deep-formed 4-5-1 proved to be a major hurdle for the favourites, who struggled immensely to become dangerous. Harmless attempts by Mané (21st), Diogo Jota (31st) and Salah (43rd) were Liverpool’s only approaches to goal. However, Everton’s best chance of the first period came through Doucouré, who failed to complete his team’s only dangerous counter-attack (34th).
Robertson redeems the Reds
The picture did not change after the change of ends. Liverpool initially struggled unsuccessfully, Everton counter-attacked and had a promising opportunity through Gordon (56th). Shortly afterwards, however, LFC were rewarded for their efforts: Salah found Robertson, who nodded home for the lead (62nd). The game tilted noticeably in favour of the home side as the tired Toffees were forced to concede more and more space. Salah narrowly missed a double strike shortly after taking the lead (72nd).
Joker Origi brings the decision
Everton FC had not given up yet. After all, a single goal would have been enough to secure an unassailable point. Gray came close to making it 1-1 with just under 20 minutes remaining, but his powerful effort missed the angle by a whisker (72nd), before Robertson saved a last-second equaliser from Iwobi (79th).
However, there was no real final offensive from Everton. Instead, it was the home side who brought about the decision shortly before the end through substitute Origi (85.). The final point of a dominant performance in the Merseyside derby, which brought Liverpool back to within a point of Manchester City.
LFC’s Champions League semi-final against Villareal continues on Wednesday. Everton have Chelsea, the next heavyweight, in front of them on Sunday.
