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A match that looked to be a goalless draw in the derby up until the very last minute ended in a win for Liverpool as forgotten man Divock Origi came off the bench to salvage all 3 points for Jurgen Klopp in front of the Kop. The goal sent all of Liverpool (except the blue half of course) into a raucous celebration, with even the Liverpool manager rushing out to celebrate the match-winning goal.
It was a tense affair as the club met for the first time this season, and Everton was determined to end their 20 games winless streak at Anfield after improving drastically since the appointment of Marco Silva at the start of the season.
They started the game rather slowly, as it was the home team who piled the pressure on in the first 15 minutes, with Sadio Mane notably missing a golden opportunity in the 13th minute to put his team in front as his effort sailed away from goal.
The home side looked to tighten their grip on the game but were caught out on the 21st minute. Summer signing Bernard floated a cross in from the left, and Andre Gomes was denied brilliantly from point-blank range by Liverpool's new goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with Joe Gomez amazingly clearing the ball off the line to keep the game scoreless.
On the other end, England international Jordan Pickford kept Shaqiri from a certain goal, and both sides went down the tunnel with nothing to show for all their efforts.
The hosts came out of the second half flying, as Salah, Firmino, and Mane all had shots on goal before the hour mark, but the game remained scoreless. Sadio Mane was denied a penalty at the 69th minute, as he was fouled in the box by Lucas Digne with the ball nowhere in sight. The referee turned a blind eye to it and play went on.
Xherdan Shaqiri was rather surprisingly taken off for Naby Keita, who was soon followed by Daniel Sturridge and match-winner Divock Origi in place of Salah and Firmino respectively. Everton tried their very best until the very end but were undone as Pickford failed to take care of Van Dijk's shot at goal, and Divock Origi was on hand to give his side the much needed 3 points. Here are the talking points from the game.
#1 Marco Silva might not remain at Everton for long
Everton fans might have to take the recent upswing in results and performances with a pinch of salt, as this could attract attention from bigger clubs looking to freshen things up in the managerial department.
Marco Silva's teams have been known to play a vibrant, attacking brand of football, no matter where or who they play, be it at Everton or Watford. Sure, the results may not always go his way, like tonight, but given how well he has done with so little, it won't be too long before a big club realizes that Marco Silva's coaching ability matches their ambitions, and decides to take a punt at him.
#2 Klopp still doesn't know what his best XI is
Jurgen Klopp made two changes from the side that won against Watford, with Joe Gomez returning in central defence alongside Van Dijk, and Fabinho starting in place of the suspended Jordan Henderson.
Jurgen Klopp's men have lined up in several different shapes this season, with 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 being the shapes the coach alternates between. Summer arrival Naby Keita and Fabinho have had slow starts to their Premier League careers, with Jurgen Klopp fielding Milner and Wijnaldum in midfield for almost all the games this season.
Xherdan Shaqiri has often been used in midfield behind the #9 and has played quite superbly in some of his limited appearances, but doubts still linger in the minds of Klopp as well as the fans as to what really is the club's best playing XI when everyone is fit and available.
#3 Origi's return from the cold
Divock Origi looked certain to leave the club after Daniel Sturridge's loan ending and Dominic Solanke's emergence as one of the best English prospects, and the Belgian was looking for a way out of Anfield. Everton were also mooted as a potential destination for the striker, but the Toffees were priced out of a move, having already spent significant funds in securing deals for Richarlison and others earlier in the window.
Well, aren't the Anfield faithful glad he stayed with them tonight? The forgotten man was the one who gave his side all the points on offer, keeping them just two points behind league leaders Manchester City.
Origi has been training with the squad and lining up for the U-23s in recent weeks in an attempt to maintain fitness levels before the transfer window, and Jurgen Klopp decided to give the former prospect a run in at the death of the game, and Origi came out, clinching the winning goal and all 3 points for his side in the final minute of the game.
#4 Liverpool's worrying form
Despite coming away with all 3 points on the night, Jurgen Klopp and his charges must deeply reflect on the performance tonight and the one against Paris, as these games have highlighted the issues the side is currently facing in front of goal.
Liverpool was lauded for their attacking play last year, tearing teams apart at ease with their frightening pace on the counter, and lethality in front of goal from their fabled front 3. The magical trio is certainly failing to live up to expectations this year, as all 3 men have had their struggles in front of goal.
Liverpool's increased defensive solidity means that the team is still grinding out results, but with the season almost at its midway point, now is the time to seriously consider whether this is just a blip in form, or if last season was an anomaly.
#5 Could Liverpool end up in the Europa League?
This is a question that a lot of Liverpool supporters should be asking themselves after tonight's performance, as a near full strength side failed to break through Everton's backline, needing a goalkeeping error to score the winner.
With an encounter with Napoli coming up in the Champions League, Liverpool needs to win the game by 2 goals at Anfield against a resilient Napoli team, who have the third-best defence in Serie A this season, whilst also boasting one of the best attacks in not just Italy, but throughout Europe.
That seems like a herculean task for Liverpool, especially based on their current struggles in front of goal, and the Europa League could be a very real possibility for Klopp and his men, who were defeated by Carlo Ancelotti's men in their earlier encounter this season.
