Two second half goals from Andy Robertson and substitute Divock Origi compounded Everton’s relegation problems as Liverpool secured a 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.
Everton dropped into the relegation zone following Burnley, fellow strugglers’ 1-0 victory against Wolves.
On paper, Liverpool were favorite to win at Anfield, the Reds who have a shot at the Premier League title, needed victory to move them within a point of the league leaders and main rival, Manchester City after the latter’s comprehensive win against Watford a day before.
The game was expected to be a tight and keenly contested affair with the stakes.
Both Managers, Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard, had their game plans set, but the former would have been the more confident of the two of a favorable outcome.
However, Everton also did hold their own, opting to play on the back foot, yielding possession to the more talented side while planning to hit them on the break.
On several occasions it looked like the strategy would work, but poor decisions on the part of the Everton attackers and some resolute defending from Liverpool’s backline scuppered the moves.
A goalless first half with a few half chances created made way for a more aggressive attacking play from Liverpool and in time the pressure paid off.
The double substitutions for Luiz Diaz and Divock Origi saw the Reds playing with some more guile upfront.
And just two minutes after their introductions Liverpool took the lead.
League’s top scorer, Mohamed Salah crossed in a perfect ball that fell for an unmarked Robertson to head home in the 62nd minute.
There were a couple of moments when the officiating was questionable, but tempers were really flaring and center Referee, Stuart Attwell would eventually hand out seven yellow cards in the game.
But the highlight of the game would be Origi’s 85th minute goal, assisted by Luiz Diaz. The Belgian scored his seventh goal in 13 appearances against the Toffees.
Everton also had their moments, Demarai Gray, Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi with opportunities they couldn’t take their chances.
The defeat now leaves Everton 18th on the log, though they have one game in hand to catch up with 33 matches played by the two other teams in the red.
