Everton vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the post-match reaction from the Reds’ comprehensive victory at Goodison Park
Liverpool secured a comprehensive Merseyside derby win against Everton on Wednesday evening, firing four impressive goals past the Toffees at Goodison Park as Rafael Benitez suffered a tough night against his old club.
Jordan Henderson got the scoring under way with a firm first-time finish from the edge of the area inside the first 10 minutes, before going on to produce a stellar performance. Mohamed Salah doubled the visitors’ lead at the end of a thrilling counter-attack, but Demarai Gray would pull one back for Everton later in the first half, slotting a calm finish under Alisson.
Salah sealed his brace after the break, however, pouncing on a terrible error by Seamus Coleman to run through on goal and tuck a low shot past Jordan Pickford – who, despite the eventual scoreline, impressed with numerous top saves throughout the game. Diogo Jota would round out the scoring as the final 10 minutes approached, turning his man with an inventive first touch before slamming a finish high into the Everton net. The result kept Jurgen Klopp’s third-placed Liverpool one point behind second Manchester City and two points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea – with City and the Blues both also winning on Wednesday night.
Follow all the post-match reaction below:
Everton vs Liverpool: Team changes
Rafa Benitez makes two changes to the Everton starting XI as he prepares for the Merseyside derby. Alex Iwobi and Anthony Gordon both drop to the bench with Richarlison and Demarai Gray both returning to the line-up.
Jurgen Klopp tweaks his back line with Joel Matip replacing Ibrahima Konate in the only change to Liverpool’s starting XI from the team that defeated Southampton 4-0 last time out.
Everton vs Liverpool: Line-ups
Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Townsend, Richarlison, Rondon
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Jota, Mane
Daunting Merseyside derby arrives for Rafael Benitez with dread of humiliation to high-flying Liverpool
This is the situation that Rafa Benitez dreaded. His Everton team have picked up only two points in seven games and have not won for more than two months.
Tonight they face a rampant Liverpool fc at Goodison Park and the Spaniard can only expect to hear his name chanted from the away section. Things could get ugly in the Merseyside derby.
Rafael Benitez faces daunting derby with dread of Liverpool humiliation
The Spaniard was not welcomed warmly by Evertonians and now welcomes his former side in top form to Goodison Park
Everton vs Liverpool: Benitez versus former clubs
Everton manager Rafael Benítez has won just one of his 10 Premier League meetings against his former teams, beating Chelsea 3-0 with Newcastle in May 2018.
Everton vs Liverpool: Head-to-head
Everton’s 2-0 triumph in February ended a run of 20 Premier League games without a win versus Liverpool and the Toffees could win back-to-back league meetings for the first time since 1985.
Liverpool have not lost a Premier League match at Goodison Park in 11 years. However, eight of their last nine visits have finished level, including the last four.
The Merseyside derby has produced more 90th-minute winning goals than any other Premier League fixture - but they’ve all been scored by Liverpool players: Ronny Rosenthal (1993), Gary McAllister (2001), Dirk Kuyt (2007), Sadio Mane (2016) and Divock Origi (2018).
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool always ‘try to play football’ in Merseyside derby
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his side have always tried to play football in Merseyside derbies.
The Reds boss was in no mood to discuss in depth what the 239th meeting between two clubs separated by the width of Stanley Park might have in store.
However, his assertion about playing football could be interpreted as a dig at their city rivals, especially after last year’s encounter which began the unravelling of Liverpool’s Premier League title defence.
Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool always ‘try to play football’ in Merseyside derby
The Reds boss was in no mood to discuss in depth what the 239th meeting between two clubs separated by the width of Stanley Park might have in store
Everton vs Liverpool: The standings
Everton are languishing 14th in the Premier League table after five defeats from their last six league games. They are five points above the relegation zone but are currently in the worst form of any of the bottom seven teams. Pressure is growing on manager Rafa Benitez and a poor performance and results against rivals Liverpool this evening will not do him any favours.
Liverpool can potentially end the day at the top of the Premier League table if other results go their way. They would need to beat Everton at Goodison Park and hope that Chelsea and Manchester City drop points to Watford and Aston Villa respectively.
Everton vs Liverpool: Recent results
Everton are without a win in the Premier League since the 25th September when they defeated Norwich 2-0 at Goodison Park. In the seven games since the Toffees have picked up just two points from a possible 21 but they were in draws with Manchester United and Tottenham. Everton are in desperate need of a win and who better to get against than their city rivals Liverpool.
The Reds meanwhile are in good form since a 3-2 loss to West Ham at the start of November. They’ve won each of their last three games – across all competitions – with both of their last two Premier League victories (against Arsenal and Southampton) finishing 4-0.
However, Liverpool haven’t won a Merseyside derby in the Premier League since December 2019 and the last time these sides back in February met Everton won 2-0 at Anfield.
Everton vs Liverpool: Early team news
Everton come into the Merseyside derby without key players Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yerry Mina who are both side-lined through injury.
Tom Davies is also out but Andre Gomes is back in training, pushing for a starting spot and Richarlison returns following a suspension.
Liverpool have no new injury concerns for the trip to Goodison Park but are still navigating a few existing injury problems. Roberto Firmino has a thigh problem and Naby Keita, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones are all still absent.
Everton host Liverpool in Merseyside derby
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Everton host Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Rafael Benitez will receive a warm welcome from the away end, but he is facing increasing pressure from Everton fans after a dire run of form in which the club have lost five of their last games. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence has been sorely felt, however, Richarlison is available again tonight after serving a suspension.
The situation is far sunnier at Liverpool, who are just two points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been in prolific form, scoring ten goals in their last three matches, and will be overwhelming favourites to take victory even on hostile away territory.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies