MY ACCOUNT
Liverpool moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City with a battling 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday thanks to second-half goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi.
The Reds were frustrated for the best part of an hour by Merseyside rivals Everton, who dropped into the relegation zone ahead of kick-off following Burnley’s earlier win over Wolves.
Neither side registered an attempt on target in an at times feisty first half, but Robertson made the all-important breakthrough after 62 minutes with a header from close range.
Origi added a late second against his favourite opponents as Jurgen Klopp’s side made certain of a 12th win in their past 13 top-flight outings to stay within touching distance of City with five games left to go.
Liverpool took 21 minutes to record their first shot – a long-range Sadio Mane strike over the bar – and their frustrations boiled over after Abdoulaye Doucoure fouled Fabinho.
As both sets of players squared off, Sadio Mane pushed Mason Holgate – a late inclusion in the Everton XI for Michael Keane – in the face but escaped with only a yellow card.
The theme of the game continued into the second half as Everton, who had a penalty shout rejected when Joel Matip put his arm across Anthony Gordon, continued to hold firm.
But frustration turned to jubilation for Liverpool when substitute Origi exchanged passes with Mohamed Salah, who sent in a cross for Robertson to head in at the far post.
That goal came via the Reds’ first effort on target and they did not have to wait long for another, with Joel Matip heaving a header blocked on the line by Allan.
Origi settled any lingering nerves with a second goal five minutes from time, the Belgium international helping the ball over the line after fellow substitute Luis Diaz’s bicycle-kick bounced back across goal.
What does it mean? Liverpool find a way
Liverpool entered this game 47 points better off than neighbours Everton – the largest ever gap between these sides heading into a Merseyside derby in the league.
That gulf now stands at 50 points and ensures Liverpool remain in hot pursuit of City, while Everton are in the relegation zone after 32 matches for the first time since April 1999.
Everton’s tactics were clear, their 32 passes in the first half the fewest by a team in the first half of a Premier League game since November 2006, but the hosts’ quality told in the end.
Origi leaves his mark again
He may be well down the pecking order for Liverpool, but Origi was brought on with the Reds struggling to find a breakthrough goal and once again made a huge impact in the Merseyside derby.
Having played a part in the opener, Origi added the second, with that his sixth goal against Everton in all competitions – twice as many as he has managed against any other side during his time at Anfield.
Liverpool just short of possession record
It may not have been to the liking of most, but Everton’s gameplan worked for the best part of an hour until Robertson finally found a way through before Origi’s late second.
The 82.75 per cent possession Liverpool enjoyed is the second most a side has ever managed in a Premier League game, behind only Manchester City’s 82.95 against Swansea City in 2017-18.
Key Opta Facts
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 23 Premier League games against Everton (W10 D12), completing the league double over their Merseyside neighbours for the first time since 2016-17.
Liverpool (79 points) sit 50 points above Everton (29 points) in the Premier League table, the joint biggest lead the Reds have had over their Merseyside rivals in the competition at the end of a day (also a 50 point gap at the end of the 2019-20 campaign).
The Reds have won more points (38) and kept more clean sheets (10) than any other team in the Premier League in 2022 and remain the only unbeaten side in the division this calendar year (P14 W12 D2 L0).
Everton have lost 11 of their last 12 Premier League away games (D1), including each of the last seven in a row. It’s their longest run of consecutive away defeats since a run of eight between April and October 1994.
Robertson became just the second Scotsman to score a Premier League goal for Liverpool against Everton after Gary McAllister’s 90th-minute winner at Goodison Park back in April 2001.
Origi has now scored 11 goals as a substitute in the Premier League, the outright most by a Liverpool player, overtaking Daniel Sturridge’s 10. Indeed, the Belgian has netted twice as many English league goals vs Everton (6) as he has against any other team.
What’s next?
Liverpool host Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, while next up for Everton is a league clash with Chelsea in a week’s time.
