Premier League: Liverpool maintains its title race after 2-0 victory over Everton

With a 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, Liverpool put the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and pushed local rivals, Everton, closer to relegation.

A BIG WIN ✊🔴 pic.twitter.com/uT1kpdzBJE

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 24, 2022

Everton’s day started badly even before a ball was kicked at Anfield, as Burnley beat Wolves 1-0 to drop them into the relegation zone.

Despite a spirited performance in a tense match, they were able to maintain their position thanks to goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi in the second half.

Liverpool’s 12th consecutive league home win reduces City’s lead at the top of the table to one point with five games remaining.

Everton haven’t won a league game away from Goodison Park since August, but they disproved claims that they’re a soft touch away from home by demonstrating the grit they’ll need in the final six games to keep their 68-year Premier League stay alive.

In sharp contrast to Manchester United’s meltdown in midweek when they lost 4-0 at Anfield, Frank Lampard’s side at least managed to get the Reds to earn the three points.

In a sloppy first 45 minutes plagued with stoppages in play, Sadio Mane’s dipping shot from the edge of the box was the only threat to the Everton goal.

After Liverpool refused to put the ball out of play with Richarlison down hurt, Mane was lucky to only get yellow in one altercation involving virtually all 22 players.

Everton had the fewest passes completed in the first half of any team in a Premier League game since 2006.

Early in the second half, they offered the stronger danger, and they were forced to lament Anthony Gordon’s chance to open the score when he dragged his shot across goal with only Alisson Becker to beat.

Gordon also had a penalty appeal turned down, much to Lampard’s chagrin, after a shove by Joel Matip.

With the score still level after an hour, Klopp was obliged to go to his bench, bringing on Luis Diaz and Origi, a recurring thorn in Everton’s side in previous derbies.

The game-winning goal, though, came from an unlikely source: Robertson headed in Mohamed Salah’s dinked ball to the back post for his second goal of the season.

As Everton struggled after going behind, Salah sliced another clear chance over the bar.

The visitors, on the other hand, regained their composure, ensuring a tense finish for the bulk of the Anfield audience.

Demarai Gray hit a thunderous volley inches wide before Robertson saved the day at the other end, clearing Dele Alli’s dangerous cross to prevent Alex Iwobi from putting the game away.

Origi appears to be on his way out of Liverpool at the end of the season, having fallen further down the pecking order since the signing of Diaz in January.

But five minutes from time, the Belgian signed off with his sixth goal in 12 Merseyside derbies, heading in at the far post.

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