Liverpool maintained their dominance over local rivals Everton and climbed to the top of the Premier League on Saturday. Mohamed Salah’s double played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory at Anfield, but they benefited from a bit of luck.
Tempers flared as Everton was left frustrated by referee Craig Pawson’s decisions. Ashley Young was shown a red card seven minutes before halftime for two yellow-card offenses, while Ibrahima Konate managed to avoid a second booking in the second half, despite the game being level.
Liverpool struggled to capitalize on their one-man advantage but eventually broke the deadlock 15 minutes from the final whistle. Mohamed Salah converted from the penalty spot after Michael Keane handled the ball.
In stoppage time, Salah was assisted by Darwin Nunez to secure the victory and three points.
Victory takes Jurgen Klopp’s men above Tottenham and Arsenal at the top of the table on goal difference.
The Reds have lost just one of their last 29 Merseyside derbies and remain unbeaten at Anfield in front of a crowd against Everton since 1999.
No fixture has had more red cards in the Premier League era that clashes between these two and another sending off proved decisive.
Everton had frustrated the hosts and posed a threat themselves until the 38-year-old Young showed his age rather than his experience by diving in to chop down Luis Diaz and earn a second yellow card.
Young had previously made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Diaz a certain goal.
At the other end, Dominic Calvert-Lewin powered an early header too close to Alisson Becker.
Klopp had expressed his frustration at being selected for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off just hours after some of his stars returned after playing for their countries in South American World Cup qualifying.
Colombia’s Diaz and Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister started, while Nunez was introduced off the bench after his starring role in Uruguay’s 2-0 win over Brazil in midweek.
Liverpool looked jaded despite having the extra man in the second-half.
Everton boss Sean Dyche introduced Keane at half-time to revert to a back five and the visitors restricted Liverpool to few clear chances to the frustration of the home support.
The Toffees were then stunned that Konate was not also given his marching orders as he pulled down Beto after being shown a yellow card.
To rub salt in Everton wounds, Klopp immediately replaced the Frenchman with Joel Matip and Dyche saw a yellow card for taking his protests too far.
Liverpool have had their own troubles with officials of late after Diaz had a goal in their only defeat of the season at Tottenham last month wrongly ruled out following VAR confusion.
However, this time VAR came to their rescue as Diaz’s cross struck Keane’s outstretched arm.
After a pitch-side review, the referee pointed to the spot and Salah scored his seventh goal of the season to muted celebrations.
The Egyptian posted an emotional video on his social media channels on Wednesday calling for an end to “massacres” in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
As Everton pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they were caught on the counter-attack deep into stoppage time as Nunez timed his pass to Salah perfectly for a simple finish.