Everton topple Liverpool to move eight points above the relegation zone

Everton’s Jarrod Barnthwaite and Dominic Calvert Lewin scored one apiece to power their side to an impressive 2-0 home victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday. This result has dampened Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes. 

Everton’s first derby win at home in almost 13 years prevented the ‘Reds’ from going level on points with Arsenal at the top of the league table. The Merseyside club is three points behind the Gunners (77) with four games in hand. 

Holders Manchester City remain firmly in control on 73 points with a two game advantage. Everton’s win has taken them eight points above the relegation zone at 16th place. 

Very disappointed in so many ways and I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performances. Did they give everything and do they really want to win the league?" Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said.

"Obviously there are still games after tonight, but if we play like we did tonight, we have no chance to win the title. It's a tough one and obviously we have to do much better against a side that is playing against relegation."

The Toffees showed intensity right from the start and won a penalty when Calvert-Lewin was tripped by Liverpool keeper Alisson only for it to be overturned by the VAR for an offside. 

Everton looked threatening in every attack and the deadlock was finally broken by Branthwaite that sent the crowd into frenzy. The 21 year old capitalised on sloppy defending from Liverpool, slotting home from point blank range after the visitors missed various attempts to clear the ball in the 27th minute. 

Branthwaite is the first Everton player to score against their fierce rivals since Demarai Gray in a 4-1 league defeat in 2021.  

“We spoke about the desire and the energy of the team and the physical side of the game," Everton boss Sean Dyche said. "The lads did it on Sunday [2-0 win over Nottingham Forest] and they'll have to do it again. That's the challenge.

"Sunday was massive and now it was a massively important derby game."

Calvert Lewin doubled the lead via a bullet header off a corner in the 58th minute, and while Klopp’s men have mounted some historic comebacks this season, Everton defended superbly to hand the German football manager his first defeat at Goodison Park in his final derby. 

“It's extra special, isn't it? Local derby -- I've been here long enough to know what it means to the fans, what it means to me," Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports. "Where we are in the league, we needed a massive three points and everything kind of came together tonight."

Liverpool tested Everton keeper Jordan Pickford in the dying minutes as he parried Harvey Elliott’s shot over the bar and then dived full stretch to deny Mohammad Salah his 16th goal of the season (PL). 

It was joyful pandemonium when the final whistle finally blew and Everton’s faithful serenaded the team off the pitch.  

"Great atmosphere, thoroughly deserved it, was a massive win. Hard work pays off," Pickford told Sky.

While Liverpool dominated possession (77%) and hit seven shots on target to Everton’s six, clinched the League Cup earlier this season, the PL trophy is the only one up for grabs for Van Dijk and co as they were piped out of FA Cup and Europa League.