Liverpool took a significant step toward reclaiming the Premier League crown with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton in the 246th Merseyside derby at Anfield, halting the Toffees� nine-match unbeaten league streak. In the final derby requiring just a short trip across Stanley Park, the contest lived up to its reputation for intensity, delivering drama, controversy, and a decisive moment of brilliance.
The match ignited early with a contentious challenge inside 10 minutes, as Everton�s James Tarkowski caught Liverpool�s Alexis Mac Allister with a calf-high tackle. Despite a VAR review, referee Michael Oliver deemed Tarkowski�s winning of the ball sufficient to avoid a red card, settling for a yellow�a decision that incensed the Anfield faithful. The centre-back, who famously scored a late equalizer in the reverse fixture, nearly turned provider soon after, threading a perfect pass to Beto, only for an offside flag to deny Everton the lead.
Beto squandered another golden opportunity before the break, this time staying onside after a precise through-ball from Abdoulaye Doucour�. Clean through on goal, the striker struck the post, leaving Everton boss David Moyes�still winless in 19 managerial visits to Anfield�visibly frustrated. Those misses proved costly, as Liverpool capitalized in the second half. Just 15 minutes after the restart, Diogo Jota seized a loose ball, danced into the box, and unleashed a thunderous strike past Jordan Pickford, sending the Kop into raptures.
Everton�s hopes of a comeback were bolstered by the return of Iliman Ndiaye from injury, but the substitute couldn�t turn the tide. Liverpool�s defense held firm, though nerves jangled late on when Luis D�az saw a goalbound effort heroically blocked on the line by Tarkowski with 10 minutes remaining. The Reds ultimately stood tall, preserving their 1-0 lead to extend an imperious unbeaten league run to 26 games (W22, D4).
The victory denied Everton the chance to go unbeaten in both Merseyside derbies of a season for the first time since 2020/21, while reinforcing Liverpool�s title credentials. For Moyes and his Toffees, the defeat leaves them licking their wounds after a spirited but ultimately fruitless display, with their missed chances likely to haunt them as the relegation battle looms. For J�rgen Klopp�s men, the Premier League summit draws ever closer.
