Liverpool vs Everton LIVE: Result and reaction as Diogo Jota inspires crucial Merseyside derby win for league leaders
Can David Moyes and Everton cause the hosts to stumble?
Diogo Jota’s second-half strike proved the difference as Liverpool edged Everton in a crucial Merseyside derby win, taking them one step closer to the Premier League title.
Everton should have had the lead at half-time, with Beto seeing an initial effort disallowed for offisde before failing to punish a Virgil van Dijk howler at the back, hitting the post when one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher.
But after the break, Liverpool stepped up a notch and found the lead through a brilliant Jota strike, dancing past two defenders before slotting home to end his goal drought.
The Reds were able to hold on for the remainder of the contest, sealing a victory that re-establishes their 12-point lead at the top.
Follow all of the latest from Anfield with our live blog below:
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
82 mins: CHANCE! Diaz drives into the box and dances past his man before drilling a low effort goalwards, blocked by a downed Everton body.
Diaz and the Kop cry handball, but after a VAR check, it’s waved away.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
80 mins: Liverpool controlling possession at the moment as they look to try and see out this games.
Szoboszlai thrashes one across the box, an Everton leg gets there first.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
75 mins: Goalscorer Diogo Jota makes way for Darwin Nunez, Liverpool’s first sub of the game.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
72 mins: Everton whip in a corner on top of Kelleher, the Irishman does well to claw it away.
Another delivery is whipped in, it’s headed by Tarkowski against Mac Allister to half-hearted penalty appeals for handball. No dice.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
69 mins: Iliman Ndiaye returns to action for the first time since coming off in the last derby at Goodison, where he looked in considerable distress.
A boost for Everton.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
67 mins: Liverpool are trying to take this game out of sight as they push for another while they have momentum.
Jota does need to be wary not to get too carried away - he just got booked for sarcastically applauding the ref.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
Diogo Jota's goal drought is over. Slot arguably picked him too often during his wait for a goal but keeping faith with his preferred centre-forward brought a reward. His goal was a reminder of why Jurgen Klopp used to describe him as the best finisher at Anfield.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
60 mins: There was a tinge of controversy to that goal.
Diaz was in an offside position when Tarkowski came across and prevented him from getting the ball - the moment that led to Jota gaining possession before he scored.
Diaz knew he was off and wasn’t trying to actively interfere, which is why the strike hasn’t been ruled out. But Toffees fans will surely take issue with that call nonetheless, as if nobody was behind Tarkowski, he may not have felt the need to stick a leg out.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Everton
57 mins: GOAL! LIVERPOOL HAVE LIFTOFF!
Everton get dispossessed on the edge of the area with the ball falling to Jota, who dances into the box before firing into the net past Pickford.
He was due a goal. Liverpool have a precious lead in the derby!
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
55 mins: Everton have four blue shirts breaking on the counter from a Liverpool corner, but the final pass is straight to Kelleher to claim.
Down the other end, Liverpool try to work a shot while an Everton player is hurt on the deck. A shot is fired against a Toffee body before it is played out, sparking a fury from Pickford.
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