Liverpool 1-0 Everton: Match report & 3 talking points from hard-fought Merseyside derby | OneFootball

Liverpool restored a 12-point advantage at the top of the Premier League as they earned a 1-0 win over Everton at Anfield.

Diogo Jota's second-half strike proved the difference in a typically hard-fought Merseyside derby that also saw Beto have a goal disallowed and strike the post for the visitors.

Three points ensured the Reds responded to victory for second-placed Arsenal over Fulham on Tuesday and earned them the local bragging rights once again.

How the game unfolded

Liverpool made a promising start to proceedings as Ibrahima Konate headed a corner over when he might have done better less than three minutes in.

And the Reds felt they should have been handed a man advantage moments later, James Tarkowski catching Alexis Mac Allister on the shin in clearing the ball somewhat recklessly, though a VAR review concluded a yellow card was sufficient.

However, Everton began to grow into the contest, causing chaos with long balls up to the willing Abdoulaye Doucoure and Beto.

The latter thought he had put the Toffees ahead in poking home through Caoimhin Kelleher's legs at the Kop end, but the linesman's flag was quickly up to signal a marginal offside.

And the Guinea-Bissau international was left ruing his luck again when he struck the inside of the post with Kelleher beaten after capitalising on a Virgil van Dijk mistake.

The half-time break offered Arne Slot a chance to change the flow of the game, and Liverpool did indeed respond in starting the second 45 much better.

Ryan Gravenberch forced a Jordan Pickford save from distance, before Luis Diaz caused chaos in the Everton box after seeing a shot box.

And the breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute, Jota winning the ball back high up, exchanging passes with Diaz, and then dribbling inside before rifling a shot home.

With Liverpool happy to sit on their lead and control the game from there, David Moyes rolled the dice in throwing on Iliaman Ndiaye, Armando Broja, Ashley Young and Tim Iroegbunam.

But Everton could not add to their sole shot of the half, which came from Jack Harrison in the 52nd minute, as the hosts saw out a win that was greeted in joyous fashion.

Check out the player ratings from Liverpool vs Everton here.

Liverpool get back on track

Liverpool may have held a huge lead at the top of the Premier League coming into this game, but you could sense a few fans getting a little shaky after back-to-back defeats to PSG and Newcastle.

Well, a Merseyside derby win is a pretty good way to ease the nerves, particularly one that puts you 12 points clear at the summit.

Any suggestions that the Reds' recent 'wobble' was any more than losses to two excellent sides who played well on the day can now surely be put to bed.

Arne Slot's team are in a position where it looks to simply be a case of when, rather than if, they lift the Premier League title - a first since 2020 and a record-equalliing 20th overall.

Slot works half-time magic again

Of course, at half-time, it looked like Liverpool might be on track for another result that would throw fuel on the doubters' fire.

But Arne Slot once again showed his handy knack for improving his team at the break by offering the perfect tactical advice.

Liverpool looked smarter on the ball, denying Everton the chance to play their testing diagonals by simply denying them possession.

As such, the Toffees managed just one second-half shot from more than 25 yards out despite having looked a huge threat in the opening 45 minutes.

Jota must build on big goal

For someone renowned as a deadly finisher, it is incredible to think that Diogo Jota came into this game having failed to score once in his last ten outings for Liverpool.

The fact is, the Portuguese hasn't quite looked himself since returning from a serious rib injury sustained against Chelsea in October.

But in netting a trademark winner here all while getting five shots off, he provided encouraging signs that a return to form could be on the cards.

With other Reds' forwards having misfired during a key period, it would be a huge boost to get one of their best finishers back in the groove.