Everton 0-0 Liverpool – Both Merseyside clubs played out a dull goalless draw at Goodison Park for the third consecutive season as Liverpool now need 5 points to become Premier League champions.
First half:
The first opportunity of the game fell to the hosts Everton when Brazilian winger Richarlison capitalized on a miss placed Fabinho header, however, the Brazilian shot was flashed across the face of goal with no Everton player managing to get on the end of it.
The visitors’ first opportunity fell to striker Roberto Firmino who was there to pick up Sadio Mane’s lay off only to scuff his left footed shot wide of the post as Liverpool started to build some momentum going forward.
The first half ended up being largely uneventful affair with both sides reluctant to take risks and the game being played at a very slow pace with the score remaining at 0-0 without much goal mouth action to report on for both sides.
Second half:
The second half also never really got going in the opening few minutes with the game still being very cagey, however, it was Liverpool who had the first chance which fell to midfielder Naby Keita who tried to execute a difficult volley inside the box only to fire wide of the far post.
The best chance of the game by far fell to Everton coming in the final 10 minutes when Richarlison’s low cross was neatly flicked goal wards by Dominic Calvert-Lewin whose shot was parried by Alisson with Tom Davies then hitting the post on the rebound in an opportunity the Everton midfielder looked like he had to score from close range.
The final 10 minutes of the game and surprisingly it was Everton who were creating the better chances and from the following corner it was Dominic Calvert-Lewin who got on the end of a flick on but the Everton top scorer could only head wide of the post in another big chance missed against the Toffee’s.
The last of the Everton chances fell to Richarlison himself when the Brazilian winger got the better of substitute defender Dejan Lovren however, the Brazilian chose to go it alone and shot right at goalkeeper Alisson as Liverpool scrambled the ball clear.
Liverpool did try their best to push for a late winner but it just was not the Reds day with the closest they came was through a Fabinho free kick which was tipped over by Jordan Pickford to make sure the Merseyside Derby ended all square at Goodison Park for the seventh time in eight seasons.
Man of the match:
Seamus Coleman – The experienced Everton full back put in a performance full of spirit and commitment in a fine display dealing with threats from Sadio Mane in particular all game.
Fascinating facts:
Everton have now failed to beat Liverpool in 19 Premier League meetings a run that stretches back to October 2010.
Roberto Firmino has now failed to score in 9 Premier League meetings against Everton.
This was Everton’s first Premier League clean sheet in 8 matches.
Two of Liverpool’s last three Premier League draws have now come at Goodison Park.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has never conceded a Premier League goal against Everton in his three Merseyside derbies.
This was Liverpool’s first 0-0 draw in the Premier League since last year’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
The last three Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have only produced a total of 16 shots on target.
Talking points:
Liverpool miss Salah and Robertson – Liverpool did have the option of bringing Mohammed Salah on off the bench however Jürgen Klopp didn’t think it was worth the risk with Salah still working his way back to full fitness while Liverpool also desperately missed the crossing and the left hand side threat of left back Andy Robertson all game also as the Reds created very little on a frustrating day.
Everton will be kicking themselves at a missed opportunity to win a Merseyside derby – Well Liverpool may have had most of the possession all game it was the Toffee’s who had the better chances especially towards the end of the game and these were chances that Everton did not take and will be kicking themselves at a missed chance to win their first Merseyside derby in nearly 10 years.
Carlo Ancelotti denies Liverpool another win – Carlo Ancelotti has now faced Liverpool three times this season, twice with Napoli and once with Everton winning one and drawing two of the matches, for this season you could say Jürgen Klopp’s bogey manager.
Liverpool now could win the title away at Manchester City –Now Liverpool have failed to beat Everton at Goodison Park if results go as planned then Liverpool could potentially win the Premier League away at Manchester City on Thursday 2ndof July in what would be a huge moment to end the clubs 30 year wait for the Premier League.
Another dull derby at Goodison Park – The last six Merseyside derbies at Goodison Park have only produced a poor total of three goals, so if you want entertainment I think you might well be best off avoiding this fixture which once again produced an uneventful 0-0 draw between the two Merseyside rivals.
Sam’s match reports 