Everton vs Liverpool Report

Scorers: Beto 11’, Tarkowski 90+8’; Mac Allister 16’, Salah 73’

James Tarkowski struck in the 98th minute to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw for Everton against Premier League leaders Liverpool, ensuring Goodison Park’s final Merseyside derby ended in unforgettable fashion.

Despite Mohamed Salah’s second-half strike seemingly securing all three points for the Reds, Everton’s resilience saw them snatch a last-gasp equaliser, extending their unbeaten league run to four matches.

Early Goals Set the Tone in a Fiery Derby

Liverpool’s final visit to Goodison Park was met with the intense hostility expected of one of English football’s fiercest rivalries. That electric atmosphere was only heightened when Everton took the lead after just 11 minutes.

A quickly taken free-kick caught Liverpool’s defence off guard, allowing Jarrad Branthwaite to release Beto, who showed supreme composure to curl his finish past Alisson and send the home crowd into raptures.

However, the Toffees’ joy was short-lived as Liverpool responded swiftly. Just five minutes later, Mohamed Salah, already a prolific scorer in Merseyside derbies, delivered a pinpoint cross that Alexis Mac Allister met with a magnificent header, finishing impressively despite having his back to goal.

After a frantic opening, the game settled into a more traditional, hard-fought derby. Everton were dealt a setback before half-time when Iliman Ndiaye was forced off injured, leaving David Moyes’ men without their key attacking spark.

Liverpool nearly capitalised on Everton’s misfortune, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s fierce long-range effort forcing Jordan Pickford into a sharp save in stoppage time.

Second-Half Drama: Salah’s Record-Breaking Moment

The second period began with Everton threatening again, and they thought they had retaken the lead when Branthwaite powered home from close range—only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. The Toffees’ wastefulness would come back to haunt them.

Liverpool, despite a slow restart, seized the initiative in the 76th minute. Pickford produced a fine save to deny Curtis Jones, but the rebound fell kindly to Salah, who made no mistake in firing home his second goal of the night.

The strike cemented Salah’s name in Premier League history, marking his 23rd goal involvement in 13 away games—a new single-season record.

Tarkowski’s Late Heroics Salvage a Point for Everton

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, it seemed Liverpool would walk away with another Merseyside derby victory. Everton struggled to break down the visitors’ defence, with clear-cut chances proving elusive. But in the dying moments, Goodison Park erupted once more.

Vitaliy Mykolenko floated a cross into the box, and Tim Iroegbunam flicked it towards Tarkowski, who unleashed an unstoppable strike past Alisson, sparking pandemonium among the home fans.

The goal survived an extensive VAR check, confirming Everton had secured a dramatic draw on their final derby night at Goodison.

Post-Match Chaos and Liverpool’s Stuttering Away Form

Tempers flared after the final whistle, with Abdoulaye Doucouré and Curtis Jones both receiving red cards as tensions boiled over. The result, meanwhile, was another frustrating trip to Goodison for Liverpool, who have now failed to win 10 of their last 13 visits to the ground.

Despite dropping points, Liverpool still extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points. However, Arne Slot will be disappointed with his side’s inability to hold onto the victory, especially after overcoming an early setback.

Final Thoughts

Everton’s fighting spirit ensured they avoided defeat in their final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, and Tarkowski’s late heroics will be remembered as a defining moment in the club’s history.

For Liverpool, the inability to see out a crucial win raises further questions about their title credentials, particularly given their struggles in high-pressure away fixtures.

With the title race heating up, Liverpool will need to rediscover their cutting edge, while Everton’s gritty performance will give them confidence as they continue their push up the table.

The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park may have ended in chaos, but for the Toffees, it was a night to savour.

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Everton v Liverpool, 2024/25 | Premier League