In the Premier League title challenge in Liverpool, Everton pushed his rivals to a draw of 0 -0, in a frenzy of Goodison Park’s Merseyside Derby.
Manchester City’s hands are now only 9 games to go, after being frustrated by its derby rivals, for the first time since December.
The two best chance of a Liverpool match was missed by Mohamed Salah, but Everton was always in it, especially in a spirited second half of his match before a boisterous home crowd.
The Reds looked in command during the first half and created a lot of chances ; one of them was sent clean, but Jordan Pickford saved it’s finish.
Without a lot of trouble for Alisson Becker, Everton grew up into the game for the second half, but he had enough of a draw – a fourth for Liverpool in their last six games in a run that returned the title initiative to City.
It was a typical Merseyside Derby match, and Everton contributed enormously, as they took the game to their opponents, despite only six wins in 14 matches in the domestic lead.
Dominic Calvert – Lewin gave Virgil Van Dijk a lot to think about, and though he was in the Netherlands, he remained the quieter man on the slopes.
Likewise, Bernard, who preferred the Left Wing Richarlison, put many questions about the backbone Trent Alexander – Arnold, even if Salah was a problem for Lucas Digne but not a real danger.
Merseyside Derby – Salah’s chance wasted
He was given one chance when Morgan Schneiderlin was taken off in a central midfield and Fabinho went through a pass, but Egypt International has narrowed its angle too much and Jordan Pickford has made good savings.
The only chance he had ever had is his 50th league goal for the club.
Everton had a good chance of breaking down right when theo Walcott blazed under Andrew Robertson’s pressure.
With the weaving of Joel Matip, the Egyptian was delayed and Michael Keane came back on block for a further chance of 10 minutes in the second half.
The first replacement was an hour for Everton and Walcott was changed to Richarlison. A sign from Marco Silva said that the play was still to be won.
With the two – fold change from Firmino and James Milner, Klopp answered, the former giving Mane a headed chance within a minute.
In order to prevent Fabinho from changing the knockdown of Van Dijk, a Digne intercept was carried out, while Bernard sliding failed to connect to Richarlison’s cross on the break.
Liverpool won the midfield battle, but Everton was defensively determined, but Matip skewed a header broadly.
