December 02, (THEWILL) – Liverpool kept pace with the English Premier League leaders with a 4-1 win over Everton in a one-sided Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, with Mohamed Salah scoring a brace to continue his excellent form.
Jordan Henderson opened the scoring for the Reds with a magnificent first-time shot after just nine minutes. In the 19th minute, Salah doubled the score when he was allowed to race in from the right and fire a superb finish beyond Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal.
That goal was Liverpool’s 500th league goal under Jurgen Klopp, and they became only the second Premier League team to score at least twice in ten consecutive away games.
Everton had scarcely had a chance to have a foothold in the game, and the home crowd was eager to show their displeasure, with Rafael Benitez appearing increasingly apprehensive in his maiden Merseyside derby as Blues manager.
Demarai Gray latched onto Richarlison’s ball and guided a brilliant shot past Alisson seven minutes before the break to give the Toffees hope and lift some of the pressure off the players and manager.
However, in the second period, Salah again surged clear and tucked a low drive into the corner on 64 minutes to restore the visitors’ two-goal cushion. It was the Egyptian’s 19th goal in 19 games, another testament to his remarkable season and contribution to the Reds’ progress.
Diogo Jota then added salt to the wounds of the Blues with a superb move and finish that sent the home crowd fleeing.
As a result of the match, Liverpool remains in third place, two points behind Manchester City and Chelsea. Everton sit 14th in the Premier League, barely five points above the relegation zone.
Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez may find it difficult to stomach the scoreline, which represented the heaviest home derby defeat since 1982. Everton is enduring a tough phase as the team has not won since September.
Despite being second best for long periods, this one, however, will hurt the most because their neighbours revealed exactly how superior they are right now. Following such a demoralising destruction against the Merseyside. there is now considerable pressure on Benitez and the Toffees management.
Liverpool, on the other hand, were back to their ruthless best. In all competitions, the Reds have now scored at least twice in 18 straight games and have only lost once in their last 30 appearances. They have put last season’s disappointment behind them, and performances like this just add to the evidence that they will be in the fight for the major honours again.
On Saturday, the Reds travel to Wolves, while Everton hosts Arsenal on Monday night.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
