Liverpool narrowed Manchester City's Premier League lead to a single point with five matches to play following a 2-0 win over Everton in a heated Merseyside Derby on Sunday that also left the Toffees in the relegation zone.
Despite conceding 83 percent possession at Anfield, Everton put up a fight and forced Liverpool to wait until the 62nd-minute for its opening goal.
Part of Everton's strategy was disrupting Liverpool's rhythm at every turn, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford played his part by wasting time over every goal kick and dramatically covering the ball whenever it broke his way.
Pickford pic.twitter.com/EMgh5kyYQL
— kiko (@kikogoncalves_) April 24, 2022
It all proved fruitless after Andrew Robertson put Liverpool up 1-0 before Divock Origi made it 2-0 in the 85th. Then, in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, Richarlison shot straight at Alisson and the Liverpool keeper knew exactly what to do.
This iconic Alisson moment is up there with the goal against West Brom. pic.twitter.com/PCNDMitOwX
— MLVN (@mlvngmz) April 24, 2022
Alisson MOTM for this moment alone. pic.twitter.com/MwWSSnK2am
— Kloppholic (@Kloppholic) April 24, 2022
Alisson really copied Pickford's time-wasting pic.twitter.com/shMobbngWe
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 24, 2022
“We expected it but we didn’t react extremely well,” Jürgen Klopp said after the match. “Each ball Pickford had felt like it took five minutes so we could not gain a rhythm which is important if you want to break down a low block. But again I’m really happy because the amount of games the boys have won in the past few months is insane.”
Liverpool hosts Villarreal in the Champions League semifinals Wednesday before a difficult trip to Newcastle on Saturday.
Everton, now two points behind 17th-place Burnley but with a match in hand, hosts Chelsea on Sunday.
