Liverpool reclaimed their imposing 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton in a thrilling Merseyside derby on Wednesday, thanks to Diogo Jota’s decisive strike.
The match kicked off with intensity, as Everton captain James Tarkowski narrowly avoided expulsion for a reckless early challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. Despite Everton’s efforts, including a close attempt by Beto that hit the post, they ultimately saw their nine-match unbeaten league run come to a sudden halt when Jota found the net just before the hour mark.
With this win, Liverpool requires only 13 points from their remaining eight games to secure a historic 20th English top-flight title, matching a league record.
The rivalry was marked by heated exchanges and memories of a chaotic previous derby at Goodison Park, which concluded with four red cards after the final whistle. In that match, Tarkowski’s last-minute equalizer salvaged a 2-2 draw, but the aftermath saw players and coaching staff from both sides sent off due to heated protests.
Tensions were palpable in this encounter, highlighted by Tarkowski’s dangerous challenge just 11 minutes in, which merited serious consideration for a red card but resulted in merely a yellow. This incident showcased the continuing heated nature of the rivalry, which remains fierce despite Everton’s ongoing struggles to win at Anfield since 1999.
Everton showcased their potential by almost taking the lead twice before halftime. Beto, initially ruled offside, saw his goal disallowed before striking the post with a subsequent attempt after a defensive lapse from Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool faced challenges in recent games, suffering back-to-back defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle that dashed their Champions League and League Cup hopes. However, the team responded with renewed vigor after a lackluster first half, determined to keep their title aspirations firmly on track.
The opening goal sparked further debate as Jota capitalized on a moment of confusion, following a miscue that allowed Luis Diaz to set him up, despite Jota’s apparent offside position when the pass was made. Jota’s well-placed shot marked his first goal since January and breathed life into the Liverpool campaign.
Diaz nearly extended Liverpool’s lead with a powerful attempt that tested Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Tensions heightened again late in the match as Pickford collided with Darwin Nunez inside the box; however, the referee had already blown for an earlier foul against Liverpool.
Despite the mounting frustration towards the officiating, Liverpool maintained their composure to secure the vital victory. With their eyes set on the title, they take a significant stride towards potentially claiming their first league triumph in 35 years.
