Liverpool closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to one point with goals from Andrew Robertson and Divock Origi in the semi-finals of the 2-0 Merseyside derby.
The result confirms that Everton are sitting in the starting lineup due to Burnley’s victory over the Wolves earlier in the day. Despite this, the performance of the Toffees was impressive, with Frank Lampard’s side frustrated with their high-profile opposition for an hour, before Liverpool’s quality flourished.
The early stages of the game were full of fights between Anthony Gordon and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Everton man has received his unique number once or twice and may have been fined when he met a Liverpool defender.
Referee Stuart Attwell did not move, and in a few minutes, he handed Gordon a yellow card to imitate.
The proverb was probably the most interesting in the first half, the goal-scoring prowess was high because Everton were always deep and under pressure. Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah both missed half-chances for the athletes while Abdoulaye Doucoure got the best chance before the break, directing an effort to cross the far post.
During the break, there was a huge uproar on the pitch created by Richarlison – not the first or last time – trying to stop the game to get treatment for ‘injuries’. After Liverpool refused to kick the ball, Abdoulaye Doucoure took it in stride and hacked Fabinho, sparking an argument between 22 men.
The first patterns of the second half were similar to the first Liverpool were allowed to have the ball by their guests. Gordon continued to create problems and removed a wide effort before an hour, while Naby Keita shot on the wrong side of the post from the edge of the box.
All of Everton’s big defensive work was postponed just an hour later when a well-matched box allowed Salah to get Robertson with a straight cross behind the post and Scot made no mistake.
Salah almost turned into a creator and became a scorer recently. A few of his teammates helped keep the ball from the corner but when it landed on Egypt his volley passed over the bar.
Demarai Gray, who had previously been silent, then almost equalized, driving the effort a few inches on the wrong side of the post.
Despite this Everton have struggled to upset their home side and Liverpool secured points five minutes before Merseyside derby champions Origi. Luis Diaz equalized the ball with a substitute for a substitute and the Belgian could not miss a close shot.
