Liverpool were hardly at their best, but the Reds picked up all three points in one of the trickiest fixtures standing between them and the Premier League title on Wednesday, as they beat Everton 1-0 at Anfield.
WATCH – Liverpool vs Everton full match replay
After Arsenal cut the gap to nine points on Tuesday, Wednesday’s Merseyside derby became even more intriguing, especially after the Toffees, who entered unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games, snatched a stoppage-time draw against their bitter rivals less than two months ago. Everton had the ball in the back of the net in the 20th minute, but Beto was just offside as he made his run in behind and Liverpool were spared. Beto once again beat Virgil van Dijk in the 33rd minute, hit the post with the shot that would have counted.
As champions typically do, Liverpool made Everton pay for giving them a second (and third) lease on life, as Diogo Jota danced his way between three defenders and fired home from near the penalty spot in the 57th minute. It was Jota’s first PL goal since Jan. 14 after he missed three weeks due to injury immediately thereafter.
Liverpool (73 points) are once again 12 points clear of the field with just eight games left to play, their 20th PL title very much in sight in Arne Slot’s first season in charge. Everton (34 points) remain 15th, though they are 14 points clear of the relegation zone.
Mo Salah needs a bit of help, and finally he got some
Lost in all the drooling over discussion about Mohamed Salah’s eye-popping 27 goals and 17 assists is the fact that no one else for Liverpool has reached double digits goal this season. Luis Diaz has 9, Cody Gakpo has 8 and now Jota has 6. It would be unfair to call Liverpool a one-man team because they have conceded just 27 goals in 30 games (2nd-best in the PL) so clearly the defense is pulling its weight (and some), but it has certainly been a one-man attack at times this season. If Salah doesn’t do something brilliant to score, then what? The answer hasn’t always been a good one, which made it all the more important for someone — anyone — else to step up in a decisive manner when Salah had just one shot on the night against Everton.
Player ratings - Liverpool vs Everton
What’s next?
- Everton vs Arsenal — Saturday, 7:30 am ET
- Fulham vs Liverpool — Sunday, 9 am ET
How to watch Liverpool vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Liverpool vs Everton live updates - by Andy Edwards
Liverpool vs Everton final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: Diogo Jota (57')
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Everton: Jota weaves his way in for the opener, at long last (57')
OFFSIDE! Beto scores from a long ball over the top, but the flag goes up
Very, very close to an opening goal for Everton as Virgil van Dijk had no clue that Beto was even there, let alone making a run in behind.
Liverpool starting lineup
Kelleher - Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson - Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai - Salah, Diaz, Jota
Everton starting lineup
Pickford - O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko - Gueye, Garner, Doucoure - Alcaraz, Harrison, Beto
The Reds hold a 12-point lead on Arsenal with nine matches to go in the Premier League season, the title coming their way but not yet within their grasp. And there’s no chance of a lapse in focus for Arne Slot’s team as their fierce local rivals Everton come to town seeking to win the season series.
The sides drew 2-2 earlier this year in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park when James Tarkowski’s late marker delivered a point to the Toffess. Everton sit 15th on the table with 34 points, a haul that is closer to the top four than the bottom three. A win and four points from six against Liverpool would be huge for David Moyes’ men.
Liverpool team news, focus
OUT: Trent Alexander-Arnold (foot), Joe Gomez (thigh - MORE), Conor Bradley (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Alisson Becker (head - MORE), Ryan Gravenberch (undisclosed)
Everton team news, focus
OUT: Iliman Ndiaye (knee), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh), Orel Mangala (knee), Dwight McNeil (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Vitalii Mykolenko (thigh)
Liverpool vs Everton prediction
The Toffees are capable of a fierce fight at Anfield, but there’s a reason Liverpool is lapping the field. It seems likely that the Reds will be rested and ready after the FA Cup weekend and their lack of participation in it gave them more time usual to respond to the international break. Liverpool 2-1 Everton.
