Liverpool 1-0 Everton: Jota plays pivotal role in ensuring win for Reds in derby

Liverpool took another step closer to their second Premier League title on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Match Report

Diogo Jota was the hero as Liverpool edged out Everton 1-0 in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.

The forward scored the only goal at Anfield, where the Premier League leaders claimed local bragging rights and restored their 12-point lead at the top of the table.

Everton suffered their first league defeat in 10 games, but had the ball in the net during the first half.

However, Beto was denied by the offside flag in the 20th minute, while he also struck the post after racing through on goal.

Jota delivered the decisive blow in the 57th minute, latching onto Luis Diaz's clever flick before his neat finish secured the Reds’ 100th victory over the Toffees in all competitions.

Arne Slot's side are once again 12 points clear of second-place Arsenal, who had reduced the deficit with their victory over Fulham on Tuesday, while Everton stay 15th.

Data Debrief: Diaz matches Salah as Tarkowski brings up 300

Liverpool claimed local bragging rights following their first 1-0 victory in the Premier League at Anfield since they beat Brentford by that scoreline in May 2023.

Diaz's assist for the winner was one of six chances he created; the most by a Liverpool player against Everton in a Premier League match since Mohamed Salah in December 2017 (also six).

Meanwhile, Everton failed to register a single shot on target in a Premier League game for the first time since Moyes returned for his second spell.

On an individual note, James Tarkowski made his 300th Premier League appearance, with Tottenham's Heung-min Son (301) the only outfield player to appear more times since his debut in August 2016.

The defender escaped with a booking following a late tackle on Alexis Mac Allister in the first half. In doing so, he now has the joint-most yellow cards without ever being sent off in the Premier League (63).

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

6' Highlight from Liverpool vs Everton

11' Yellow Card! Tarkowski booked as he catches Mac Allister on the calf!

14' Liverpool's free-kick by Szoboszlai narrowly misses the post!

19' Beto nudges the ball into the net but it is quickly ruled out for offside!

26' Jota gets in behind the Everton defence and tries to cut it back into the box!

27' Salah with space to give header but he guides it straight into arms of Pickford!

32' Beto rides a tackle & beats Kelleher but the ball crashes off the post and out!

57' GOAL! Jota makes some space for himself to beat Pickford! Liverpool 1-0 Everton

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Salah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Jota, Kelleher, Konate, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz, Curtis Jones, Gravenberch

Subs: Endo, Tsimikas, Gakpo, Chiesa, Nunez, Jaros, Elliott, Quansah, James McConnell

Everton XI: Gueye, Pickford, Doucoure, Tarkowski, Jack Harrison, Vitaliy Mykolenko, Garner, Beto, Jarrad Branthwaite, Carlos Alcaraz, Jake O'Brien

Subs: Young, Coleman, Keane, João Virgínia, Iliman Ndiaye, Armando Broja, Nathan Patterson, Tim Iroegbunam, Chermiti