Liverpool returned to Premier League action with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.
Everton 2-2 Liverpool
‣ 0-1: Sadio Mane (3′)
‣ 1-1: Michael Keane (19′)
‣ 1-2: Mohamed Salah (72′)
‣ 2-2: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (81′)
As it happened →
Highlights →
Sadio Mane got the ball rolling for Liverpool with an early opener before Michael Keane levelled the scores inside the opening 20 minutes.
Mohamed Salah put the Reds ahead with his 100th goal, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin made it 2-2 soon after. The Reds thought they’d bagged an injury-time winner through Jordan Henderson but it was ruled out for offside in controversial fashion.
Jurgen Klopp introduced Joel Matip, Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane from the off after the quartet returned to training after injury and coronavirus concerns earlier in the week.
It took the Reds less than three minutes to make the breakthrough as a brilliant move saw Andy Robertson find Mane, who smashed the ball past Jordan Pickford from close-range to make it 1-0.
Liverpool looked likely to add a quickfire second, with a combination of Henderson and Roberto Firmino coming close from Mane’s cross into the box, but the duo failed to connect with the ball.
They were dealt a blow when a rash challenge by Pickford on Virgil van Dijk saw the Dutchman forced off with an injury, with Joe Gomez coming on to replace him in the back-line.
Everton began to find space in behind the high Reds defence, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin threatened to equalise on two occasions.
The hosts made it 1-1 soon after as Michael Keane connected with James Rodriguez’s corner to powerfully head home from close-range.
Trent Alexander-Arnold nearly restored the Reds’ lead with an excellently-struck free-kick, but Pickford was up to the task to push the ball behind.
Thiago whistled a shot just wide of the post before Robertson combined with Mane again, but the Reds forward couldn’t direct his strike into the bottom corner.
Henderson nearly restored Liverpool’s lead at the start of the second half with a stab from outside the box, but the Reds skipper couldn’t keep his effort down.
A coming together between Robertson and Everton midfielder Allan saw the Scotsman in a spot of bother, but there was no lasting damage as he brushed off the knock.
Neither side were able to take control of the game as it became somewhat of a scrappy affair between the two teams.
A dinked ball into the box by Rodriguez was met by Richarlison at the far post. But the Brazilian couldn’t hit the target with his header smacking the outside of the post.
Liverpool struck during a lull in the game to make it 2-1 as Yerry Mina’s clearance fell to the otherwise quiet Mohamed Salah, who instinctively smashed the ball home to score his 100th Reds goal.
Diogo Jota came on from the bench to replace Roberto Firmino, with the Portuguese slotting in at the left and Mane moving into the middle.
Liverpool looked like they could cruise to victory for the remaining ten minutes, but Everton weren’t done yet as Dominic Calvert-Lewin connected with Lucas Digne’s cross and guided the ball past Adrian to make it 2-2.
Thiago was lucky to escape injury when Richarlison came flying in with a horrendous tackle, with the Everton forward being sent off for foul play.
Liverpool looked to capitalise on the man-advantage in the final five minutes as Gini Wijnaldum replaced Fabinho.
The Reds thought they’d grabbed the winner as Mane set up Henderson, who ran into the box and finessed the ball through Pickford and into the back of the net.
But the goal was controversially ruled out for offside by VAR, despite replays looking like Mane was in line with the Blues defence. Liverpool were forced to settle for the point, with the last incident undoubtedly leaving a bitter a taste for the Reds.
Liverpool XI: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
LFC Globe’s MOTM: Thiago
Next Fixture: Ajax (A) – 21 Oct, 8pm
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