Liverpool beat a battling Everton side 2-0 in a hard-fought win at Anfield to maintain the pressure on Manchester City – and push their neighbours towards the drop.
Andy Robertson’s second-half header brought the breakthrough in a bad-tempered game and substitute Divock Origi nodded in the second from close range to seal victory in the Merseyside derby.
It was far from straightforward for the title chasers, with Everton’s resistance lasting over an hour and Sadio Mane fortunate to stay on the pitch following a first-half altercation.
The three points move Jurgen Klopp’s side back within a point of leaders Manchester City, while Everton are now two points from safety after Burnley’s win earlier in the afternoon.
How Liverpool edged the Merseyside derby
Everton stifled their neighbours from the outset, Jordan Pickford taking his time over every kick, and the delaying tactics appeared to rile the home players as well as the fans.
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Richarlison was down with minor injuries three times, Anthony Gordon was booked for taking a tumble and Abdoulaye Doucoure for a late tackle as Anfield roared disapproval.
It was that final incident just before half-time that saw Mane push Allan in the face and appear to gouge Mason Holgate. He might well have been sent off.
It was proof that Everton were getting to Liverpool.
Liverpool upped the tempo in the second half but it left gaps – Gordon appealing for a penalty when tangling with Joel Matip and then dragging a shot wide from another break.
The breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Klopp turned to his bench, bringing on Origi and Luis Diaz, and the two substitutes changed the tempo of the match.
Origi’s lay-off to Mohamed Salah allowed the Egyptian to stand a cross up to the far post and there was Robertson to nod home with what was Liverpool’s first shot on target.
The noise was extraordinary, the relief palpable. But there was still time for Everton to find an equaliser and Demarai Gray almost did so with a fierce shot from distance.
And yet, it was the cult hero Origi who had the final say, as he so often seems to do in these big games, poaching a chance from under the crossbar after Diaz’s acrobatic attempt.
Liverpool’s quest for the quadruple continues. Everton just hope they will have the chance to return to Anfield next season.
What’s next?
Liverpool are entering a defining period in their bid for a historic quadruple, having already bagged the League Cup in February; Jurgen Klopp’s side must tackle a Champions League semi-final meeting with Villarreal, before returning to Premier League action against in-form Newcastle United on April 30; kick-off 12:30.
Everton are still treading dangerous water in the Premier League and next host third-placed Chelsea at Goodison Park on May 1, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 2pm.
Liverpool’s remaining fixtures
April 27 – Villarreal (h), Champions League semi-final first leg
April 30 – Newcastle United (a)
May 3 – Villarreal (a), Champions League semi-final second leg
May 7 – Tottenham (h)
May 10 – Aston Villa (a), live on Sky Sports
May 14 – Chelsea (n), FA Cup final
Date TBC – Southampton (a), live on Sky Sports
May 22 – Wolves (h)
Everton’s remaining fixtures
May 1 – Chelsea (h), live on Sky Sports
May 7 – Leicester City (a)
May 11 – Watford (a)
May 15 – Brentford (a)
May 19 – Crystal Palace (h)
May 22 – Arsenal (a)