Merseyside Is Blue.
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Klopp and Ancelotti have beaten each other 3 times each in all contest and Liverpool played at home in this Merseyside derby with Everton. Both are coming on the back of Premier League defeats and they both started the match with the hope of winning it but we can only have one winner.
Robert Firmino has never scored a derby goal and that record was stretched again for this match where he didn't score. Also, Liverpool has never lost straight 4 home games before but Everton made sure of that on the night. Trouble in paradise for Liverpool who also lost Henderson to injury with his injury-ravaged team.
The first leg of this match was when Van Djik got his injury in October so the emotions and thoughts would be in his mind as the match started.
Ozan Kabak conceded a corner kick in a matter of seconds under pressure when the match started. He is the youngster taken on loan from Schalke. The corner kick was delivered into the box and Godfrey got a touch but the ball went for a goal kick.
In the 3rd minute, Everton got their lead. Doucoure found James who released Richarlison. He took his chance well and slotted home sweetly. 1-0.
Mane got a pass Salah but his effort was comfortably saved in the 9th minute. In the 17th minute, Ozan Kabak fouled James Rodriguez and his low drive freekick was not a threat for Alisson in any way.
In the 19th minute, Salah found Mane who then found Firmino but his effort was deflected for a corner kick. Shortly after, Henderson had a lovely volley which took a brilliant save from Pickford to keep out.
2 minutes after, Mane found Alexander Arnold and he produced a long-range strike and Pickford got a touch to keep it out but Liverpool's injury woes were compounded in the 28th minute when Henderson went out injured and was replaced by Matt Phillips.
Everton should have increased their lead in the 33rd minute when a brilliant ball found Coleman in the box and his lovely header was smartly and instinctively saved by Alisson. He was in the right place and at the right time.
Liverpool tried so much to respond but nothing came from their efforts even though they came close several times. The half time came and it was still Everton with the lead.
Arnold had an effort saved in the 49th minute and not long after, Mane had his own saved too from Jones' pass. Mane went close again in the 52nd minute but Pickford quickly gathered it. Arnold also had a ball flash the face of the post but there was no one to connect with it.
Salah came close again in the 69th minute when Shaqiri found him in the box but Pickford was smart enough to close him down quickly.
The turning point of the game came in the 80th minute when Davies started a counter-attack when he found Richarlison. He found the on-rushing Calvert-Lewin who ran into the box, had a shot which Alisson saved but the follow-through of the attempt to stop that first shot from Arnold caught Calvert-Lewin and the referee pointed to the spot. He consulted with the VAR and checked for himself and deemed it fit for a penalty. Sigurdsson stepped up and coolly found the back of the net even though Alisson tried to stop it. It was a classy finish, 2-0.
Firmino produced a moment of individual brilliance in the 84th minute but his effort was wide via a deflection off the defender. Liverpool played with the hope of reducing the deficit and Wijnaldum attempted a brilliant strike in the 92nd minute but Pickford came to the rescue again with a fingertip save.
Coleman was 10 when Everton last won at Anfield. It took Everton 22 years since 1999 to win at Anfield and what a sweet victory it was for them. They have drawn level with Liverpool on points now and still have an outstanding game with Aston Villa. This season has been unpredictable as it is and of course, interesting.
Congratulations to Everton because they worked out for it and Liverpool would have to go back to the drawing board again after losing 4 consecutive home league games.
Thank you for your time.
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