Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 in a thrilling Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday but there were a few intriguing moments missed in the action
Liverpool secured their fifth consecutive triumph of the campaign as they claimed victory in the 247th Merseyside derby against Everton.
Ryan Gravenberch broke the deadlock by brilliantly converting Mohamed Salah’s delicate cross, before the Dutch midfielder switched roles to set up Hugo Ekitike, who coolly netted past Jordan Pickford to double the first-half advantage. Idrissa Gueye pulled one back for David Moyes’s men with a fine strike, but Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders managed to see out the victory and stretch their lead at the top.
The result leaves the Premier League champions with five wins from five and the chance to sit back and watch title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City slug it out on Sunday afternoon to see who may be best placed to challenge the Reds in this campaign, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners currently six points adrift and Pep Guardiola’s side nine points behind.
Naturally, you’re already aware of those details. What may have escaped your notice, though, were several fascinating storylines unfolding throughout the Anfield encounter. Here are the pick of the ‘moments missed’, courtesy of the Liverpool Echo.
Pickford embraces the banter
Jordan Pickford has hardly been beloved by the Kop over the years, and they ensured the Everton shot-stopper received the full pantomime villain treatment early doors at Anfield with a song that recalled a famous derby triumph from December 2018.
Pickford’s botched clearance that day gifted Divock Origi the chance to head home a decisive late winner and the Liverpool supporters relished the opportunity on Saturday lunchtime to remind everyone, chanting that “he couldn’t touch the crossbar, he’s only got little arms”.
This was quickly followed by songs for Origi, just to drive the message home. Credit where it’s due, the England number one took the ribbing in good spirit and applauded the Kop as he came out for the second half, showing his class.
Grealish rages over bookings
Jack Grealish seemed to be getting no leeway from referee Darren England in his tussle with Conor Bradley.
The Northern Irish defender was given the job of containing the on-fire Everton player, and he performed as well as anyone has this season, despite Grealish, who is on loan from Manchester City, playing a significant role in his team’s equaliser.
Bradley was assertive and did everything he could to limit the influence of the ex-England player, whether by fair means or foul. At one point during the match, Grealish was seen making a four-fingered gesture at referee England, protesting the number of fouls committed by Bradley.
Later in the half, Grealish called for a yellow card for Bradley but refrained from making the card gesture that usually results in a booking for the person making it. Grealish was clearly dissatisfied with England’s reluctance to book Bradley.
The former Manchester City winger continued moaning after the final whistle, complaining that England booked Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for taking a free-kick before the referee blew his whistle as his team pursued an equaliser, while he was also incensed by the official’s decision to permit three additional minutes of injury time, believing there should have been more.
Slot wants more information
Everton masseur Jimmy Comer would have expected to pass through Anfield’s mixed zone unnoticed, given the array of Premier League stars milling about.
However, long-standing Blues backroom staff member Comer couldn’t avoid the attention of Arne Slot as he made his way across the corridor after the match.
In fact, Slot was even seen quickening his pace to catch up with the well-liked Comer before he left. When the Liverpool boss caught up with the Everton man, there was only one line of questioning.
For those not in the know, the masseur is the father of Hollywood actress and Liverpool’s own shining star, Jodie Comer. Slot was eager to find out more about his famous, BAFTA-winning daughter.
However, Slot may have been disappointed to learn that the Killing Eve star comes from a family of die-hard Evertonians, and she herself has previously declared her allegiance to the same team.