The derby!! Liverpool 2-0 Everton
Well that was a tough watch. Everton made no attempt whatsoever to get involved in a game of football today, it was time wasting and persistent fouling from the first whistle. Their stat of 17% possession tells you everything you need to know about how much they tried to play football and they frustrated us first half, although we were somewhat architects of our own downfall by being repeatedly sloppy in possession.
It all changed second half however. Klopp made the subs and changed to effectively a 4-2-4 with Origi going up top with Jota and Diaz taking up the wide left position and we immediately looked more threatening. Salah had someone to play off in the box with Origi providing the physical presence we’d lacked first half and that was pivotal in the build up to the opening goal as the pair played a one two allowing Salah to get the cross in and then… The man, the myth, the legend, the McMOTM… ROBBO comes steaming in at the back post in a blur of pasty skin and ginger beard to nod in the opener past a hapless Pickford. If his goal wasn’t enough for McMOTM then his goal saving intervention at the other end definitely clinched it. What a guy.
After we scored however, there only looked to one winner and the second goal, the three subs combined, Hendo with the cross, Diaz with the attempted overhead kick and Origi – the scourge of Everton does it again, moving him level with Robbie Fowler for goals against Everton (6).
A horrible game to watch for the most part then but a hard fought victory. Everton’s tactics meant a flowing game was never going to happen and it’s no surprise that the best passers in out team in Trent and Thiago struggled to impact the game as there was just no space and again it’s no surprise to see the opening goal come from a defender, when the opposition is just focused on suffocating the forward players.
Diaz made a difference when he came on, you can see he’s growing in confidence as some of the tricks are starting to come out. He’s going to be a huge player for us next season.
No let up then as focus now shifts back to Europe with Villarreal on Wednesday night. There will be further rotation, I imagine Hendo will come back into the team and suspect Thiago will be rotated having played the full 90 today. Konate could well come back into the fold after his goal scoring exploits in the previous round and I suspect Diaz will start.
An attritional day at Anfield then but the three points are all that counts and puts the pressure back on City. Hopefully no injuries will emerge over the next 24 hours and we’re back on point on Wednesday night. Walk on!!
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