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Liverpool ran riot at Anfield as they won the game emphatically piling more pressure on Roberto Martinez’s men. The game began with both teams having a go at each other and the game looking evenly balanced before Divock Origi scored to sink Everton’s lively start.
Mamadou Sakho extended the lead with an emphatic header and the Reds went into the second half with a two-goal lead. The game was marred by a pathetic tackle from Everton center back Ramiro Funes Mori which left Divock Origi writhing on the floor and the striker had to be stretchered off and this compelled the referee to send the Everton defender off as well.
Daniel Sturridge came on to replace the Belgian and he scored before long to make it 3-0. Philippe Coutinho completed the scoring with a sublime strike from distance to make it 4-0.
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Let’s have a look at some of the games’ talking points.
#1 Liverpool firing on all cylinders
It makes for interesting reading that Liverpool have scored 16 goals in their last 6 games and have not lost a single one of them. They’re clearly building momentum as the business end of the English Premier League settles in and could be in for a grand stand finish when it comes to the top four spot.
While it may seem a farfetched proposition, it may be worth noticing that they are 6 points behind Arsenal with 5 games left to play for the Reds and the Gunners. Manchester City are 7 points ahead of Liverpool and have 4 games left to play. It may or may not be possible that either team ahead of the Liverpool team drops points but if the Reds’ can keep winning games and keep piling the pressure into the last few weeks, one of those two teams may just feel the heat and end up bottling their final run.
In the meantime, Liverpool can keep enjoying some excellent form from individual players, with the likes of Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Joe Allen and James Milner exhibiting some ravishing form of late producing goals and assists galore.
#2 Roberto Martinez on the verge of being shown the door
Roberto Martinez came to Everton promising the faithful that he will take Everton into the Champions League. Fast forward a few years and that dream has gone up in smoke. Fans have been left completely disillusioned by the Spaniard’s inability to deliver on a vision that endeared him to so many.
Everton have been woeful this season after continuously producing poor results and performances. Martinez seems to have lost the dressing room with players seeming lethargic and unsure of their task on the pitch and the fans have lost patience with the odd Roberto Martinez out placard doing the rounds. The Spaniard either has or is fast running out of time to do something of note strong enough to let Everton fans keep their faith in him.
With fresh investment set to come into Everton in the form of a new majority stakeholder, this may be the time when Everton seek a new direction managerially in the summer. With the Premier League looking to gain a fresh infusion of quality with several excellent managers coming in, Roberto Martinez could be on the verge of being shown the door at Everton.
#3 Divock Origi out with injury
The rise of Divock Origi has been sensational with the Belgian International really coming into his own under Jurgen Klopp. He has been in some great form of late having scored 5 goals in his last 5 games but things don’t seem all that rosy anymore.
Divock Origi was the victim of an absolute horror tackle from Ramiro Funes Mori as the center back went studs in, into his ankle. A little lower or higher and a bit of more force and you would not be mistaken to believe that would’ve been the end of Origi’s season. However, what he does have now is an ankle injury that could’ve been avoided. The initial word is that it is a sprain with some bruising and that could leave Divock Origi out for two weeks.
With Liverpool set to play 3 games during that phase, Divock Origi will try to make it in time for the all important return leg of the Europa League semi-final at Anfield. With Liverpool down to Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino as players who can play that position naturally, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping Divock Origi makes a quick recovery.
#4 Everton are short of central defenders
As if things weren’t bad for Roberto Martinez already, he seems to have hit even worse ground after seeing all his centre-backs leave the game at Anfield either injured or suspended, that too with an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on the horizon. The worst bit is Everton are already in crisis with all first choice right-backs out with injuries.
In the game at Anfield, Ramiro Funes Mori was dismissed after being shown a straight red card, John Stones had to be replaced due to an injury and Phil Jagielka is already out of contention for the FA Cup tie. Gareth Barry, who can do a job in that position also limped off early into the half time leaving Roberto Martinez with Muhammed Besic and James McCarthy as center backs for much of the game.
It seems that the duo may need to repeat their antics at the heart of defence this weekend, albeit without conceding as much ideally. Everton are in the middle of a really rough patch result wise as well and Martinez needs some divine assistance to get out of this mess in one piece.
#5 James Milner beginning to look the part
When Brendan Rodgers brought in James Milner in the summer on really high wages as a possible replacement for Steven Gerrard, it seemed to be a decision that divided the Liverpool faithful. No one questioned his usefulness to the team but whether he could replace the quality of the talismanic skipper was a question most couldn’t answer with certainty.
Fast forward to the time he is having under Jurgen Klopp, James Milner has notched up a dozen assists most of which have come recently. He is now ever present in the team and seems to have reveled with his iron lungs under Jurgen who likes a player who can run like there’s no tomorrow. It also seems to be fantastic that James Milner has started showing his quality in addition to his dedication to the cause.
Many fans will now agree that James Milner is beginning to justify his wage bill as he continues to rack up assists and become more intrinsic to the style of play Liverpool are reveling in. As the season comes to a close, he may find the need to prepare himself for an influx of competition within the squad come summer, but there is absolutely no doubt as to the fact that he seems set to be at Liverpool for a long time to come and in good capacity at that.
