Liverpool claimed bragging rights on Merseyside with victory over rivals Everton and edged closer to lifting the Premier League title.
Arne Slot’s men require only 13 points from a possible 24 available to guarantee a deserved and record-equalling 20th top-flight triumph.
The Red were being frustrated by Everton’s backline sitting deep, but claimed the three points courtesy of a moment of magic from Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese forward was on the periphery of the game but collected Luis Diaz’s cute backheel before showcasing dancing feet by jinking past challenges and slotting home.
Before the deadlock was broken, a moment of controversy was the main talking point with Everton defender James Tarkowski incredibly fortunate to stay on the pitch.
Tarkowski received only a yellow card early on when he won the ball with a sliding challenge but caught Alexis Mac Allister on the knee with his studs with the follow-through.
The video assistant referee (VAR) decided not to upgrade the tackle to a red card and Dominik Szoboszlai curled the resulting free-kick narrowly wide, while the in-form Mohamed Salah headed straight at Jordan Pickford at the back post.
Beto had the Liverpool backline rattled and saw a goal ruled out for offside after outmuscling Virgil van Dijk.
The striker got the better of the Reds captain again, but this time could only hit the post when one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool and their supporters looked to up the ante in the second period and Ryan Gravenberch’s stinging drive from range was pushed away by Pickford, but Jota’s 56th-minute strike made the difference.
Title within grasp for champions elect Liverpool
Red smoke billowed from the Kop End and chants of “we’re gonna win the league” echoed around from the home supporters at full-time knowing a second Premier League title is within grasp after moving 12 points clear at the top with eight games to play.
Slot has seamlessly taken over the Anfield hotseat from the much-vaunted Jurgen Klopp and the Dutchman’s side have lost just once in the league.
Liverpool have impressed both in attack and defence – not only have they scored more goals than any other team with 70, they have also managed to keep a joint-high 13 clean sheets this term.
The Reds were left convalescing during the international break after being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St-Germain then losing the Carabao Cup final to a hungry Newcastle side.
The ball didn’t quite seem to fall their way for much of Wednesday night, with Everton defenders diving in to make crucial blocks, but Liverpool showed why they are champions elect following Jota’s twinkling of inspiration.
His delightful goal came at the right time as it was just his sixth in the league this term and ended a barren run of 10 games without scoring.
With Manchester City dropping away this season and Arsenal failing to mount a serious challenge, the title is in sight for Liverpool and the earliest they can put red ribbons on the trophy is 20 April at Leicester, if results were to go their way.
Everton reflect on what could have been
Defeat for Everton on Wednesday evening ended Everton’s nine-game unbeaten run and extended manager David Moyes’ misery at the venue.
The veteran Scot will be sick at the sight of the stadium having now gone 22 matches, including 20 in the Premier League, without winning here.
It could have been a very different story had Beto converted the gilt-edged opportunity that fell to him in the first half, doing well to sneak ahead of Van Dijk but then being unable to finish.
The major point of contention came in the 11th minute when centre-back Tarkowski somehow managed to escape a red card for a wild lunge on Mac Allister.
The referee gave only a caution and VAR agreed, but ultimately it did not make a difference on the result.
[BBC]