Liverpool moved 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after beating Everton 1-0 in the Merseyside Derby.
Diogo Jota scored the only goal of the game on 57 minutes in a game that was not short of flash points.
Everton were fortunate to escape a first-half red card after James Tarkowski’s reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. VAR deemed the defender to have played the ball despite a dangerously high follow through on the Argentine.
Premier League explain controversial VAR decision after Tarkowski tackle
Diogo Jota is the Merseyside derby match-winner 😤#LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/c9CKt2m03y
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 2, 2025
The visitors had the better opportunities in the first period, with Beto proving problematic for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The forward had an effort ruled off for offside, before hitting the post when one-against-one after an error from Van Dijk.
Liverpool were not at their best but found a breakthrough in front of the Kop after half-time. The Reds upped their performance after a slow start and opened the scoring just before the hour. Collective relief swept around Anfield when Jota slalomed into the box and fired in a low finish past Jordan Pickford.
Liverpool held on for the points in a morale-boosting victory., after their Champions League exit and Carabao Cup final defeat before the international break. The win was the Reds’ 100th in Merseyside Derbies and extended their lead over Arsenal. Liverpool now need a maximum of just 13 points from their final eight games to be crowned champions.
“Massive, of course. Not only because it is a derby, but because of the international break,” Liverpool match-winner Jota reflected to Sky Sports.
“It was important to start with three points and hopefully that gives us momentum for the rest of the season. I always believe in myself and believe that the chances will come. The three points was the most important today.”
Read – 10 unforgettable Merseyside Derby moments
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