In a thrilling Merseyside derby, Liverpool ran out 5-2 winners. Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri scored the openers and another Origi goal either side of Michael Keane and Richarlison in the first half alone. Gini Wijnaldum added a fifth late on as Liverpool kept their lead at the top at eight points.
Liverpool have a very busy schedule in December so rotation was expected at some point but not necessarily for the derby. Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson were all rested in favour of Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Adam Lallana. It was a big call by Klopp to rest key players for a game of high stakes but he would be vindicated.
From the first second, Liverpool looked like the team we've all come to know. They were attacking with real menace and Everton couldn't do what they managed to do at Leicester. It was a perfect start for the Reds as Sadio Mane played an exquisite pass to Divock Origi and he didn't have to break stride to round the long-running Jordan Pickford and slide the ball into an empty net.
It was gorgeous football from Liverpool and they didn't look like they were missing their big players at all. Another beautiful move was constructed soon after as Trent Alexander-Arnold played a typically excellent cross field pass to Mane. He found Xherdan Shaqiri and the Swiss was able to score on his return to the side.
Things were looking ominous for Marco Silva as he was already on severe pressure coming into this one. Despite being called the friendly derby, tempers did flare between a couple of individuals. Tom Davies and Andy Robertson locked horns plus Richarlison and Alexander-Arnold was an ongoing tussle. This was a proper derby match.
Liverpool haven't kept a clean sheet since September 28th and they would concede again. Keane was able to pounce as Liverpool failed to clear their lines but as is the case with them, they'll just score more than you. Origi brought down Dejan Lovren's long ball fantastically and he lobbed Pickford for a third. The clinical nature of Liverpool's attack was devastating.
Sadio Mane added a fourth after a quick counter attack but Everton would find a second for themselves. Richarlison's goal ended a pulsating first half that saw six goals and some of the highest quality. It would be hard for the second half to replicate similar intensity levels and quality as the first and it didn't.
A lot of the second half was played in the middle of the pitch as both sides suffered from the energy exerted in the first period. Everton couldn't find an early goal to pile the pressure on Liverpool but both exchanged chances late on. Sadio Mane missed two great opportunities to score and Moise Kean, still looking for his first league goal, fluffed his lines.
A game of this quality deserved a second half goal, and we got one. Roberto Firmino, on as a substitute, provided some great skill on the left wing to set up Gini Wijnaldum to put the icing on the cake for the red half of the city.
Jurgen Klopp should be happy with his team's performance but it is yet another game that passes without a clean sheet and that should be of concern. What is more concerning, though, is Marco Silva's position as Everton manager. This embarrassing loss leaves Everton in the relegation zone and he surely has to go now.
Liverpool can make changes and still be levels above Everton and that is a worrying sign for the Toffees. A win keeps Liverpool at the top by eight points but Everton are fully in the relegation battle. A change of manager must happen.
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