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:
How possession became a dangerous game in the Premier League
For so long, possession has been inextricably linked to Premier League success - but things may be changing. Lawrence Ostlere explores how Liverpool are benefitting from a tactical shift:
How possession became a dangerous game in the Premier League
Premier League to introduce offside technology this month
Semi-automated offsides will be introduced in Premier League matches for the latter stages of the current season, the league has revealed.
The technology was originally intended to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks in October or November.
It was notably debuted in English football during the FA Cup fifth round at the start of March, featuring in seven of the eight ties being played.
Following additional non-live testing in the Premier League, semi-automated offsides will now be used for the first time in the top flight this season, using virtual offside lines and graphics along with optical player tracking for those watching at home or in a stadium.
Premier League to introduce offside technology this month
The Premier League has never been more popular but it has never had more problems
There was a strange feeling around some Premier League training grounds on Monday, especially for the modern game. It was one of refreshment. The sun was out for a lot of teams, and many players haven’t had a game for two and a half weeks. It represents the longest break the Premier League has had since the summer.
Such a gap would normally bring the same sense of refreshment to the actual games, but then this is also a strange time for the Premier League as a whole. Normally so used to being the biggest show around, “the world’s best league” last weekend witnessed the FA Cup bringing some actual storylines back to a relatively drab season.
That was something else that fed into the feeling at some training grounds this week. There is a sense of a season winding down, rather than building to a crescendo.
The Premier League has never been more popular but it has never had more problems
Chelsea and Liverpool eye Dean Huijsen as Bournemouth brace for bids
Chelsea and Liverpool are both aiming to secure the signing of Dean Huijsen this summer, although Real Madrid are monitoring the Spanish centre-half.
The 19-year-old has been one of many Bournemouth revelations this season, as the south-coast club are bracing themselves for huge interest in a good group of inspired signings. Huijsen's situation is made a little simpler, due to the understanding he has a release clause of around £50m.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool have been seeking to sign a new centre-half, and have been simultaneously working on a potential deal to bring the 19-year-old in. While the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are felt to have currently made more progress, Huijsen's future is seen as very much up in the air.
Liverpool's situation may also drastically change due to Virgil van Dijk's contract situation. The 33-year-old has not yet signed a new deal at Anfield.
Chelsea and Liverpool eye Dean Huijsen as Bournemouth brace for bids
David Moyes desperate to end historic Anfield hoodoo
David Moyes has declared he wants to “get rid” of his record at Anfield and finally earn the away win at Liverpool that has eluded him over his long managerial career.
The Scot takes Everton across Stanley Park for the 246th Merseyside derby on Wednesday after overseeing the second most games in charge at Anfield of any manager who has not won there – but smiled that he would mention Sir Bobby Robson, the only visiting coach to play away at Liverpool more often without tasting victory.
David Moyes desperate to end historic Anfield hoodoo
Four red cards and ‘boiling hot mayhem’ – anatomy of Everton v Liverpool and a famous Merseyside derby
Need a reminder of that mad, manic Goodison Park epic? Here’s how Richard Jolly made sense of it all in February:
Four red cards and ‘boiling hot mayhem’ – anatomy of a famous Merseyside derby
The ‘unacceptable’ Liverpool mistake that must change in Merseyside derby
Time and again, Arne Slot described himself as “rational”. He can often seem the most sensible man in the strange world of Premier League management but his first taste of the Merseyside derby ended with Slot looking his most irrational, with Michael Oliver brandishing the red card after a post-match blast, and the subsequent referee’s report revealing that the Liverpool head coach told the official: “I will f***ing blame you if we don't win the league.”
As Slot approaches a rematch – with Everton, not Oliver – the aim is to be the calm, measured winner who has taken his team to the brink of the Premier League title.
The ‘unacceptable’ Liverpool mistake that must change in Merseyside derby
Liverpool vs Everton LIVE
The end of the Premier League season is looming larger and larger into view, with Liverpool looking to take another big bound towards the title tonight. Rivals Everton make the short trip across Stanley Park for a Merseyside derby that could be an encounter of real consquence.
Kick off at Anfield is at 8pm BST.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments