Liverpool had to win at Goodison
Liverpool had to win. There was no room for errors or excuses. It was the Merseyside derby, the League race was tight, and the wound of the humbling from Atalanta was still sore. A win was the only pill that could alleviate the pain.
But then the best laid plans do go awry. No Sean Dyche team can be counted out. In fact, they can be surely be counted upon to create drama, which they did at Goodison Park. The park is just about 1000 meters as the crow flies from the Liverpool fortress, but it is nothing like home for the Reds.
The Toffees were in a battle at the bottom of the table and on the edge of the cliff. Dyche thrives in these situations; he has seen and survived many. He has created tough teams that are capable of upsetting many an applecart.
A tired Liverpool and a busy Everton
It was a tale of two different types of football, interlaced with interesting tactical moves. Liverpool had more chances and almost three-quarters of the possession, but they were far from clinical and definitely looked tired. Darwin Nunez, Salah, and Luiz Dias all had chances. An inspired Jordan Pickford in the goal for Everton tipped over some close ones.
Everton, on the other hand, were direct, pressing hard and hell bent on floating every ball in their possession in the Liverpool half into the box. Two of these from Dwight McNeil led to the two goals that have dented Liverpool’s title chase. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a constant threat and scored one of the two.The other one came from the imposing 21-year Jarrad Branthwaite, who might be in a differently colored shirt next year if the transfer rumors are to be believed.
The title race is a really close one. Manchester City still have the best chance, while Arsenal are in hot pursuit. Liverpool have, in a matter of weeks, looked tired. Jurgen Klopp’s farewell may be a bit of a damper unless the other two have a nightmare of a month.
It is getting tiring and looking bleak. Klopp knows it, the players can feel it, and the fans are wary of keeping high hopes.
As for Everton, Dyche seems to have ensured survival; despite docked points, their fans are happy on two counts: one for survival, the other reason was being clearly bellowed out by them as they sang.
“You lost the league at Goodison Park.”
That is, for you the rivalry of Merseyside.
