LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
18 years young and all the confidence in the world. Everton may never get a better chance to beat Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as Adrian and Curtis Jones combined to make it another miserable afternoon at Anfield.
The Liverpool boss now has seven wins and three draws from his first 10 Merseyside Derby encounters with Everton. The German equalled the record of Bob Paisley as his side defeated Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton 1-0 to advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Liverpool went into the cup tie without Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Alisson, Virgi Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and more. Everton went with a strong starting XI, with Seamus Coleman as captain, but they lived to regret spurning three great chances in the first half.
Adrian repelled shots from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison with his legs while Mason Holgate contrived to head straight at the Spaniard from six yards out. The opening 45 minutes was not all Everton, though, as Divock Origi had a low effort well saved by Jordan Pickford.
The second half saw Everton fade and struggle to hold onto possession long enough to spend time in the Liverpool half. The Reds’ young charges took control of the game and kept Everton honest with a number a frees and corners.
James Milner had limped off after only eight minutes, and may be out for the next few weeks, but Adam Lallana, Jones and Harvey Elliott stepped up for the hosts and every Liverpool player on the pitch hustled and harried to put the squeeze on the Toffees.
Ancelotti, in an attempt, to spark some life into his side, brought on Fabien Delph and Moise Kean but it was Liverpool that broke the deadlock. Origi linked up with Jones outside the Everton box and, after a brief look up to assess his options, the teenager curled a beautiful effort into the top right-hand corner of the Everton goal.
No words. #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Mqxgt3fqLn
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 5, 2020
Jones’ matchwinner came in just his third ever outing for Liverpool and he will hope that he gets further chances with the senior side before the season is out. He also scored the winning penalty when the Reds beat Arsenal in the League Cup, earlier this season.
“I learn every day and I think it showed out there on the pitch,” declared Liverpool’s youngest FA Cup goalscorer since Robbie Fowler.
OUR MAN OF THE MATCH: Curtis Jones (Liverpool)
