Liverpool will look to re-establish their advantage at the top of the Premier League as they return to action with a Merseyside derby against Everton.
Arne Slot’s side have had plenty of time to stew on their Carabao Cup final loss as a trophy slipped out of their grasp at Wembley, with this their first outing since that mid-March defeat after an early exit from the FA Cup. It leaves their full focus on league success and though their significant lead over Arsenal was narrowed to nine points last night, Liverpool remain in a position of such strength with nine games to go in the campaign.
This could represent a stumbling block, though, with Everton sure to be ready for their rivals as they travel across the city. James Tarkowski snatched a dramatic late equaliser in the reverse fixture – the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park – and the club have enjoyed solid form since, though David Moyes will be keen to end a recent run of draws that have inhibited their climb up the table.
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Liverpool 0-0 Everton
20 mins: DISALLOWED GOAL! Beto gets in behind and holds off the challenge of Van Dijk before slotting past Kelleher – only to see the flag go up.
It’s being checked by VAR… and it’s been confirmed by VAR. Chalked off.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
17 mins: O’Brien lumps an awkward long throw into the Liverpool box, with it bouncing through the crowd towards Alcaraz in space.
Alacaraz fires a shot goalwards, a vital block put in and Liverpool clear.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
14 mins: Szoboszlai stands over the free-kick which beats the wall but misses the target.
Luckily for Mac Allister, he’s back on his feet. That Tarkowski challenge was a potential leg breaker.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
Arne Slot disagreed with some of the refereeing decisions at Goodison Park rather too much. He was more measured in shaking his head after seeing James Tarkowski’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister but the presumption is he thought the Everton captain should have seen the fifth red card of this season’s Merseyside derbies. Once again, the drama is revolving around Tarkowski.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
11 mins: Diogo Jota dances into the box and has an effort blocked – but as James Tarkowski flies in to clear, he clamps Mac Allister high on the shin on the follow through. He got a lot of ball, but even more of the man.
VAR have reviewed it and deemed it not a red card offense. In my book, Tarkowski is very, very lucky.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
9 mins: Jones has a little nibble at Alcaraz who then goes down in the box, sparking an appeal from the away end.
Nothing given.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
5 mins: Liverpool fans haven’t watched their team play in two and a half weeks. For a team that is often drowning in fixtures, that feels like an age.
No surprise Anfield is in full voice during the opening stages here.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
2 mins: Liverpool have started with a lot of energy, a surprise to no-one.
Diaz gets it on the left and drives into the box before going to ground – the referee blows his whistle but it’s for the ball going out rather than to give a penalty.
A corner then gets whipped in, Konate connects but it loops over.
Frantic start.