Liverpool : This match has always been a match of vengeance. A match between two city rivals, and it turned out to be a crack of jack of a match on Saturday in the Merseyside Derby. Four goals, with one red card and one VAR decision in the stoppage time which ended the game even Steven. A match of high history has ended with high drama.
Sadio Mane becomes the first player to be caught offside for the hair on his elbow being to long #EVELIV #MerseysideDerby pic.twitter.com/2lCCUZjAoC
— betclever (@bet_clever) October 17, 2020
Defending champions Liverpool FC had the pressure of coming back after they were literally battered by Ashton Villa before the international break and Everton wanted to continue with their dream start to season. Sadio Mane opened the scoring on the third minute of the game. Back from injury with full fitness and opening the score line from an assist of Andy Robertson. In the mean time Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk got injured after a collision with Everton’s keeper Jordon Pickford, he left the field and Joe Gomez replaced him. This Everton side has some X-factor within them. They have quality players and they know how to hit back. On the 19th minute mark, defender Michael Keane’s header leveled up the score line between the two city rivals after a perfect corner by James Rodriguez. The first half ended 1-1 and promised something special in the second half. Liverpool was trying hard enough to break the defence but was failing to do so, on the 72 nd minute mark Mohamed Salah scored from a deflected ball which came up to him. This was Salah’s 100th goal for Liverpool, and he is now in the record books with the Liverpool legends like Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and others. Liverpool was in the verge of a victory after four years at the Goddison Park, but in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin equalized on the 81st minute mark from a header inside the box. When everyone thought that the drama was over, then on the 90th minute Everton’s no. 7 Richarliason was given the marching order for a rough tackle on Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara. Then came the twist, around the 91st minute when Liverpool’s captain Jordon Henderson scored the winner from a Mane pass, every Everton fan’s heart was broken but VAR had other plans. It fixed their heart and the match ended two all at the end of 90 minutes with stoppage time.
This has always been a match of bloodshed and high drama and it ended like that. Everton need to think something different to hold on with their dominance, at times they looked lack-luster while Liverpool was pressing. They have to stop depending on Rodriguez as it’s never easy for one player to perform in every game. Goalkeeper Pickford was standout with two genuine saves. But they don’t have much depth in their squad and it can be a problem in the long run. Carlo Ancelloti might have some plans or else it won’t be easy to win when the league will progress further.
Liverpool on the other hand had a set back from before as they don’t have Allison Becker under the bar. Adrian lacks the confidence Allison has, we have seen that before too. And Van Dijk’s injury will cause more problems for Jurgen Klopp’s men as he has been their standout performer in the defence since his arrival. They want him fit as soon as possible. Thiago had a good game. He came back to the squad after he was tested Covid-19 Positive two weeks back. Sadio Mane is back and showing the strength he has always possessed. Mo Salah is now in the history books and with the Liverpool legends after today’s goal. But injury will be a concern for them, so Klopp has to reorganize his strategies in the upcoming matches to hold their Champion status in the Premier League.
