LIVERPOOL 0-2 EVERTON
Heading into this evening’s Premier League clash at Anfield, Seamus Coleman was the last Everton player to experience a victory over Liverpool.
That has all changed now.
The Toffees had not defeated Liverpool since 2010, back when David Moyes was their manager, but they would have fancied their changes despite a losing to Fulham during the week.
Carlo Ancelotti has brought organisation, decent signings and added belief to Everton since his arrival at the club, and a win over their local rival in the Merseyside Derby would provide a boost heading into the final third of the season.
In their last 20 games against Liverpool, Everton had not even take a lead. That all took only three minutes to change, tonight, as James Rodriguez took advantage of a Thiago header to nowhere and the flat-footed Ozan Kabak to slide a ball in for Richarlison to score.
Richarlison celebrates with Seamus Coleman. (Credit: Getty Images)Liverpool’s best chance to level to scores came after 20 minutes but Jordan Pickford’s finger-tip save denied Jordan Henderson’s volleyed effort.
That was just about the last act of Henderson’s game as he soon limped off with an injured groin. He was replaced by Nat Phillips and the Phillips-Kabak combination was the league champion’s 17th different centre back pairing of an injury-ravaged season.
The other talking point of the first half was provided by a mini spat on the sideline when, as ESPN and BT Sport’s Julien Laurens reported, Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp sprang up and looked for a penalty.
According to Laurens, when Everton assistant Duncan Ferguson laughed at Klopp’s remonstrations, the German asked why. Everton captain Seamus Coleman was on hand to add his thoughts on the matter:
Argument Duncan Ferguson – Jurgen Klopp on the touch line after the Liverpool penalty shout. « Why are you laughing? » Klopp shouted at Ferguson who had a big grin on his face! « We are allowed to talk or is it just you Jurgen? » intervened Seamus Coleman!
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) February 20, 2021
Jurgen Klopp gives his Liverpool team instructions during the game against Everton. (Photo by Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images)I can't even begin to describe how hilarious it would be to see Jurgen Klopp and Duncan Ferguson go at it. Complete no contest.
— Sean Lunt (@Sean_Lunt) February 20, 2021
As the half wound down, Coleman was denied by a diving Alisson when he snuck in at the back post and connected with a diving header from only seven yards out.
The second half saw Liverpool up the tempo and create a number of chances against the Merseyside rivals.
Trent Alexander Arnold’s dangerous cross was hacked away by Mason Holgate, Michael Keane slid in to deny Sadio Mané a strike on goal and Mo Salah was denied by the legs of Pickford.
As Liverpool pressed forward for a late equaliser, Everton countered at pace and won a penalty then Dominic Calvert-Lewin was felled by the sliding Alexander Arnold.
Thoughts on that Everton 🤔penalty pic.twitter.com/lHLOL5sZN5
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 20, 2021
Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up, after a VAR check, to slot home Everton’s second past Alisson.
Pickford found time for one more excellent save as he tipped over Gini Wijnaldum’s goal-bound effort in injury time.
As fireworks shot into the night sky from Stanley Park, Everton finally ended a long, unwanted winless run against Liverpool. Their neighbours’ fourth home defeat in league football is their worst run since 1923.
Our Man of the Match: Michael Keane (Everton)
