Seven months ago, I was enraptured when James Tarkowski slammed that ball into the goal at the Gwladys Street End. A moment that will be with me forever. Today, Everton headed to Anfield to take on the top of the table Reds.
The size of the mountain that Everton hoped to climb was enormous in this 247th Merseyside Derby. Liverpool had lost just one of their last 28 home games against Everton in all competitions (W17 D10), winning each of their last four in a row since a 0-2 defeat in February 2021.
Team News
It was hinted at in Moyes’ press conference and confirmed on the team sheet with Vitalii Mykolenko returning to the starting lineup. It means Moyes can pick a recognised left-back to go up against Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah today. James Garner moved back into the middle next to Gueye. Beto led the line again after scoring against Liverpool in the final Goodison Park derby in February and struck the post at Anfield. Tim Iroegbunam was sacrificed from the Villa game and nterestingly, Everton have never won with him in the lineup up. Finally, Merlin Röhl was missing completely so he must have been the player with a knock that Moyes discussed.
For the Reds, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak were dropped to the bench from the Champions League match. However, Arne Slot made only one change to the Liverpool side who beat Burnley 1-0 on Sunday with Conor Bradley coming in at right-back.
Match Report
Darren England was the man in the middle and the hope was for him to be anonymous. The rain was pelting down as the teams shook hands before the teams paid their respects to former Red Bobby Graham. Everton kicked off and it was quickly under Liverpool’s control as Everton were sitting back. An early ball into the Everton box was met with confidence by Michael Keane.
Liverpool were patiently passing the ball around the Everton box as the Blues struggled to get the ball out to Beto. After Grealish was denied a foul, Liverpool countered and when Salah lobbed the ball into the box, Gravenberch swivelled and volleyed the ball past past a diving Pickford. A quality goal.
Liverpool could smell blood and they pushed forward for a second. Szobozlai drove the ball goalward but Tarkowski headed the ball clear. Seconds later, Salah cut inside and his shot zipped past the far post. Everton were keeping the Reds at bay with several blocks but the pressure was mounting.
Everton finally had the ball in the Liverpool end and when Ndiaye sent Beto into the box, Kerkez was there to put the ball out for a corner. Liverpool countered but Gakpo could not get his shot on net. Everton were starting to get on the ball more which was encouraging for the travelling Evertonians.
A lovely turn by Grealish saw him set up Dewsbury-Hall but his whipped shot missed the near post. Ndiaye was then given a yellow card for pulling back Kerkez. Everton were then sliced open when Gravenberch slid the ball into Ekitike who put the ball between Pickford’s legs.
Everton tried to respond and some good control around the Liverpool box was negated by a poor Beto touch. Liverpool were happy to slow the match down but Everton were getting more of the ball. Ndiaye delivered a lovely cross but it was behind Beto which caused his shot to go well over.
O’Brien then skipped past Kerkez but his cross did not make it past the first defender. Tarkowski and van Dyke were nattering at each other with the ref having to intervene. Everton were ending the half well and a corner from Garner was well worked with Grelish but they could not get a shot away. A lovely move by Everton saw Grealish get the ball to the line and his cut back was met by Gueye and his shot was saved by Allison.
Half time report from Mark Thomas and Brian Kenney:
Moyes took off Beto and brought on Thierno Barry to try to affect a change in the proceedings. The second half started frantically with both teams struggling to make any effective passes. Everton’s supporters were starting to be heard as the Blues controlled the ball around the Liverpool box. The match was opening up and a nice interception by Michael Keane prevented a breakaway by Ekitike.
A great ball by Grealish was touched back to Gueye by Ndiaye was absolutely laced into the back of the Liverpool net. The Evertonians in the corner went crazy and the game was back on. Marching Down The Goodison Road was sung with pride.
Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones were brought on for Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister as Arne Slot made his first changes. Moments later, Alexander Isak was also brought on for Ekitike as Everton continued to push forward.
Szobosali was given a yellow card for bringing down Grealish. The free kick was taken by Garner and his beautiful delivery forced van Dyke to put the ball out for a corner. The counter attack from Liverpool was fast but Tarkowski made a lovely slide tackle to deny Wirtz.
Jack Grealish was then the last man who blocked a certain goal by Konate. Kerkez drove the ball goalward and it took a nice header from the outstretched Mykolenko to prevent another goal. Darren England was starting to lose the match and when he gave KDH a yellow card for taking a free kick too quickly, David Moyes was apoplectic!
The game was in the balance as both teams tried to get the next goal. A ball slid into Salah was expertly defended by Tarkowski. Moyes saw the chance to get somenthing from the game and had Dibling and Alcaraz in place of Mykolenko and Ndiaye. Garner moved to the left back slot with Alcaraz taking over in the middle.
Dibling was immediately on the ball and the Blues turned up the heat on Liverpool. Another great ball from Grealish forced Kerkez to head the ball into touch. The resulting corner was delivered by KDH and the volley from Grealish was well over the top.
Only three minutes of additional time was announced and Liverpool tried to slow the match down and deny Everton any chances. The time quickly dissipated and when the final whistle was blown both Grealish and Moyes made a beeline to the referee to voice their displeasure. Grealish was given a yellow card for his efforts.
Everton’s Man of the Match
Jack Grealish: Once Everton started to get on the ball in the 35th minute, it was Jack Grealish who was the driving force for the Blues. Even as Liverpool doubled up on the winger he still found room to create chances. The cross into the box that led to the goal was sublime. Grealish created the most chances (3) in the match and was the most fouled player in the match (6 times). Importantly, he had 8 defensive contributions including a goal line clearance.
Instant Reaction
After a first 35 minutes of Liverpool dominance, it was nice to see Everton get back in the match. The early goal in the second half was the turning point and it was the Blues who looked more like the team to score another. The game ended in defeat but Moyes must be pleased with the response from his team. Liverpool are top of the table and will be hard to beat. The Evertonians around the world have to take lots of positives from the game.
The sheer magnitude of the difference in quality was on show for the majority of the first half. Everton were set up to defend but they lacked a counter attack. Once again, Beto struggled to get the ball under control and had a couple of chances to make something going forward but his touch was heavy to say the least. I know that he can score but the first half showed that the Liverpool defenders knew what to expect and smothered him. Barry’s arrival saw the Liverpool backline immediately under more pressure. Barry has to start next week.
There were six substitutions in the second half. I understand that each substitution adds 30 seconds to the match. So that means that there were no other stoppages that required additional time? Garner injury, wasted time at goal kicks and throw ins, etc? Once again, consistency in officiating is an issue for me. Of course, it wasn’t because Liverpool were on the ropes near the end. Was it?
A Carabao Cup match against Wolves in midweek will give Moyes the chance to see some of those players who have been more peripheral in the squad. Barry, Dibling and Alcaraz should get some important game time along with the potential return for Branthwaite if the reports of his return are accurate.
