The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Robbo grabs vital goal in derby win
Liverpool’s 2-0 victory in a testing 240th Merseyside derby kept their quadruple bid on track, while pushing Everton slightly closer to their first relegation in 71 years.
Andy Robertson’s second goal of the season produced the vital breakthrough after 62 minutes of dogged resistance from the visitors and Divock Origi enhanced his derby legacy with his sixth goal in nine cross-city matches.
Victory reduced the gap to leaders Manchester City back to one point, while leaving their near neighbours now two points from safety.
They had started the game in the bottom three after Burnley’s victory over Wolves and things got worse for them before a ball was even kicked at Anfield.
An injury to Ben Godfrey in the warm-up meant the visitors took the field having changed both centre-backs from the midweek draw with Leicester, Michael Keane the late replacement alongside Mason Holgate with Yerry Mina rested following his comeback against the Foxes after two months out with a thigh problem.
But that did not alter their tactics – get behind the ball in a 4-5-1, eat up as much time as possible at restarts and frustrate the life out of their opponents.
It certainly worked for 45 minutes as they limited Liverpool to just three shots, none of which were on target, despite 86% possession.
Toffees striker Richarlison, who was frequently on the floor and ate up a lot of time for treatment, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who collapsed to the floor like a weary marathon runner at the end of 26.2 miles every time he collected the ball in two hands, drew most of the ire from Anfield.
Youngster Anthony Gordon also trod a fine line, with his booking for a dive in the penalty area from a non-existent Naby Keita challenge his worst offence.
Half of the 12 Premier League bookings for simulation this season have been for Everton players, with three alone against Liverpool. It was all part of the ploy to disrupt and disturb and their hosts fell into the frustration trap.
The game had a more oldschool derby feel about it, with Diogo Jota and Seamus Coleman involved in one confrontation which saw the Liverpool player pushing a hand towards the defender’s face in retaliation to a challenge, and Sadio Mane in the middle of a melee of 21 players after Abdoulaye Doucoure was booked for chopping down Fabinho.
Incredibly, Everton had the better chances early in the second half as Gordon and Alex Iwobi both directed attempts wide.
Prior to that, Joel Matip’s tangle with Gordon inside the area looked like it could have risked a penalty, but referee Stuart Atwell was not in the least bit interested.
Jurgen Klopp sent on Luis Diaz and Origi just before the hour and the latter, who has made a habit of making his own personal derby history, combined with Mohamed Salah for Robertson to head home unmarked at the far post.
Robertson then proved his worth at the other end with a vital block to prevent an Iwobi equaliser.
Fittingly Origi, who has barely played this season, finished things off with a close-range header five minutes from time.
The party rolls on at Anfield, with a Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Villarreal on Wednesday, but things do not get any easier for Everton with Chelsea up next at Goodison at the weekend.
• Elsewhere yesterday, Burnley heaped the pressure on Everton as their 1-0 win over Wolves lifted the Clarets out of the bottom three. Matej Vydra’s second-half goal – and the Toffee’s derby defeat – leaves Burnley two points clear of Lampard’s side, though having played a game more.
Chelsea had to wait for a winner against West Ham but Christian Pulisic duly delivered in the 90th minute. Jorginho had missed a penalty for the hosts after Craig Dawson was sent off on 86 minutes, but the US winger stepped up to give the Blues a huge three points in their bid to remain in the top four.
Southampton came from behind to seal a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Brighton, James WardProwse getting both Saints goals with two cracking strikes. Danny Welbeck put the Seagulls in front before Mohammed Salisu scored an own goal for 2-0.