Liverpool continued their march toward the Premier League title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over local rivals Everton at Anfield. The victory has brought Jurgen Klopp’s successor, Arne Slot, and his team closer to securing their 20th top-flight triumph, with just 13 points needed from the remaining 24 to seal the deal.
The match, which had its fair share of drama and controversy, was decided by a brilliant individual effort from Diogo Jota. The Portuguese forward, who had been relatively quiet throughout the match, made the difference in the 56th minute with a skillful display that saw him dance past Everton defenders before slotting the ball into the net.
Despite the victory, Liverpool were made to work hard for the points in the first half. Everton’s defensive setup frustrated the hosts, with the Toffees sitting deep and denying Liverpool much space in and around their penalty area. Although Liverpool dominated possession, their attacking play lacked the cutting edge needed to break down the well-organized Everton defence.
Everton’s centre-back James Tarkowski was lucky to escape a red card for a dangerous sliding tackle on Alexis Mac Allister early in the game. Tarkowski’s challenge won the ball but caught Mac Allister’s knee with his studs during the follow-through. Referee decisions were under intense scrutiny, and while the referee awarded a yellow card, VAR did not intervene to upgrade it to a red. In the resulting free-kick, Dominik Szoboszlai curled the ball just wide, while Mohamed Salah, always a threat, saw his header at the back post saved by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The game could have taken a different turn had Everton’s striker Beto converted an early chance. The Brazilian forward managed to outmuscle Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and break free from the defence, but his shot was ruled out for offside. Later in the first half, Beto found himself one-on-one with Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, but he was unable to finish, hitting the post instead.
Despite these missed opportunities, Everton’s defence continued to frustrate Liverpool, with defenders throwing themselves into tackles and blocks to deny the Reds’ attackers. As the first half drew to a close, it seemed that the home team would have to wait longer for the breakthrough.
In the second half, Liverpool looked to increase the tempo and break down Everton’s resistance. Ryan Gravenberch tested Pickford with a powerful drive from range, but it was Jota who would ultimately make the decisive impact.
In the 56th minute, Jota collected a clever backheel pass from Luis Diaz and danced his way past a couple of Everton defenders. With quick feet and excellent close control, Jota made space for himself in the box before calmly slotting the ball past Pickford to give Liverpool the lead. It was a much-needed moment of brilliance from Jota, who had gone 10 league games without scoring before this strike. His sixth league goal of the season could prove to be a vital one as Liverpool push for the title.
With eight games remaining, Liverpool now sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, further extending their advantage over second-placed Manchester City. The victory over Everton keeps them on track to secure a second league title in three years, with the earliest possible date to wrap up the championship being 20 April, when Liverpool visit Leicester, provided other results go their way.
Arne Slot has seamlessly continued the work of his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, and Liverpool’s form this season has been nothing short of impressive. They have the most potent attack in the league, with 70 goals scored, and have also kept a joint-high 13 clean sheets. Slot’s tactical approach has helped the team remain solid at the back, while still playing an exciting brand of attacking football.
However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the Reds this season. Their Champions League hopes were dashed by Paris Saint-Germain, and they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup final by Newcastle United. Despite these setbacks, Liverpool’s focus has been unwavering, and they have shown why they are the team to beat in the league.
For Everton, the defeat ended a nine-game unbeaten run and left manager David Moyes frustrated. The Scot has now gone 22 matches, including 20 in the Premier League, without winning at Anfield, and this defeat will add to the pain. Everton had their chances, especially in the first half, but their failure to capitalize on those opportunities ultimately cost them.
Beto’s missed chances were particularly costly, and Everton’s inability to convert them will surely be a point of contention for Moyes and his players in the coming days. The incident involving Tarkowski’s challenge on Mac Allister also remains a major talking point, as many felt the defender should have been sent off for his dangerous tackle. However, VAR’s decision not to upgrade the yellow card to a red was final, and it did not impact the outcome of the game.
With the defeat, Everton remain mired in mid-table, and their hopes of pushing for a top-half finish seem increasingly unlikely. Moyes will need to motivate his players to bounce back quickly, as the Toffees look to finish the season strongly and avoid any relegation battles.
