The 243rd Merseyside derby went the way of Liverpool number 039 when Mohamed Salah number 039; scored a 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday afternoon.
After conceding a penalty when Michael Keane was inside the area, Salah scored a second in the 97th minute to seal a result that would momentarily move the Reds top of the Premier League.
Ashley Young was earlier sent off for two fouls on Luis Diaz as he became the game’s 23rd red card recipient in the Premier League era.
But of course you knew all that. You may have missed some interesting subplots in Saturday’s game. Pickford gets the message
It is common for the opposition goalkeeper to receive a warm welcome from the Kop on matchdays at Anfield when they head to that end of the pitch.
Seedling#039; is a long-standing tradition that has gently respected hundreds of goalkeepers over the years. But Jordan Pickford had no such luck on Saturday lunchtime.
When the Everton goalkeeper came off as the Kop ended in the second half, the England international was booed loudly by the home fans, who clearly hadn’t forgotten his season-ending strike on Virgil van Dijk three years ago. .
Liverpool fans have never hidden their loathing for the Everton man, but it was certainly their strongest signal yet and it was delivered right in his face as the second half prepared to kick off. It may even be the first time that Pickford becomes the first opposition player to receive such a cold reception from the Kop supporters. Not that he lost much sleep over it all.
Van Dijk plays the role of captain and captain
Four red cards in just eight games before Saturday and the match, Liverpool’s players and#039; wished not to run afoul of the law again in a match that produced as many as 22 red cards in the Premier League. the age before the beginning.
So when Trent Alexander-Arnold went to the referee in the second half to protest what he thought was a penalty for handball early in the second half, Virgil van Dijk made sure he was ready to captain and #039; .
The Reds skipper stepped in and physically pushed away his match referee colleague Craig Pawson to ensure frustration at the decision did not lead to another row. Therefore, Alexander-Arnold was not punished for his singing demands. Considering how the cards have flown for the Reds this season, it was a smart move by the experienced defender.
An angry Trent demands action
But this incident was not the only time Alexander-Arnold demanded action from the officials.
The Liverpool vice-captain indicated he was elbowed in the face by the fourth official near the touchline moments after he collapsed in a loud scream following a collision with Everton striker Beto.
The Reds defender was furious that he clearly hadn’t thought about the Blues’ elbow and made a move towards the referee. However, despite Alexander-Arnoldand’s visible anger, referee Craig Pawson did not deem it worthy of a review.
The origin is not forgotten
It only took five minutes for Liverpool to tease their visitors Everton about last years derby day hero.
Divock Origi scored six goals against Everton during his time with the Reds and set himself up to torment the Blues as a Liverpool player. And with the game still under way, the home supporters greeted his early effort with a brace. His name rings around the Kop. It might have sounded like an innocent nod to the player who scored the Champions League-winning goal in 2019, but Liverpool fans knew exactly what they were doing when mentioning the striker who frustrated Everton so much during his eight years on Merseyside.
Expect the name of Origiand #039; will echo around Anfield every time Everton visit from now on.
