Liverpool restored their commanding 12-point lead at the Premier League summit after Diogo Jota’s decisive goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over local rivals Everton in a typically combative Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
The tone for the fiercely contested match was set early when Everton captain James Tarkowski escaped with only a yellow card following a dangerous challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. The center-back’s lunging tackle, which caught the Argentine high on the ankle with his studs, prompted no VAR intervention despite Liverpool protests.
Everton, enjoying an impressive nine-game unbeaten league run under returning manager David Moyes, came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half. Beto had a goal disallowed for offside before hitting the post following a rare mistake from Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
After a subdued first-half performance, Liverpool emerged with renewed intensity after the break. The breakthrough came just before the hour mark in controversial circumstances. Luis Diaz was in an offside position when Tarkowski attempted to cut out a pass aimed toward the Colombian winger. Diaz capitalized on the loose ball, flicking it into Jota’s path, who skillfully evaded both Idrissa Gueye and Tarkowski before firing home his first goal since January.
The victory leaves Liverpool needing just 13 points from their remaining eight fixtures to secure a record equalling 20th English top-flight title, a welcome return to winning ways after consecutive defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle ended their Champions League and League Cup campaigns.
Tensions remained high throughout the match, with both teams showing the intensity typical of this historic rivalry. Liverpool’s frustrations with the officials threatened to boil over in the closing stages, particularly when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford felled Darwin Nunez in the penalty area after referee Samuel Barrott had already whistled for an earlier Liverpool infringement.
Unlike February’s explosive encounter at Goodison Park, which saw four red cards issued after the final whistle following Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equalizer, Liverpool manager Arne Slot managed to maintain his composure as his team secured a crucial victory that puts them another significant step closer to their second league title in 35 years.
The result ended Everton’s impressive unbeaten league run and continued their winless streak at Anfield in front of a crowd since 1999, despite their recent upturn in form under Moyes that has virtually guaranteed Premier League survival.
