Forty-nine days ago I was in the Upper Gwladys Street as James Tarkowski slammed the ball into the back of the Liverpool net and the roof of Goodison Park was lifted by the roar. A magical moment that will never leave me.
Today, Everton headed across Stanley Park for the final time to face the Reds with their nine game unbeaten streak on the line. However, Liverpool were on a 25 game unbeaten run of their own.
David Moyes had not won any of his 19 Premier League away games against Liverpool in his managerial career. It was the joint-most any manager has faced the same club without ever winning. Incredibly it is a record that he shares with himself, against Chelsea.
Everton are unchanged from the late 1-1 draw they secured against West Ham last time out. However, the Toffees were boosted by the return of forward Iliman Ndiaye, who was on the bench after missing the last five games because of a knee injury suffered in the Goodison derby. Also, Vitalii Mykolenko had recovered from a thigh problem sustained with Ukraine and started at left-beck.
Liverpool made one change from their Carabao Cup final loss by Newcastle. Curtis Jones came in at right-back in place of Jarell Quansah, who dropped to the bench. Caoimhin Kelleher started in goal as Alisson failed to recover from concussion suffered on international duty with Brazil.
The Evertonians in attendance did their best to drown out the Anfield crowd as YNWA was sung before the start of the match. Referee Samuel Barrott got the match underway with Everton kicking off. Liverpool got forward quickly and forced an early corner but Konate could not keep the ball down.
Everton had their first chance on net but Doucoure’s weak effort was easily handled by Kelleher. Liverpool started to put on some pressure but the back line was up to the task. Diogo Jota had a chance but James Tarkowski blocked it and then when the rebound fell to MacAllister the centre back cleared the ball but Tarkowski hit the Argentinian with force. A yellow card was brandished by Barrott and the VAR check confirmed the decision.
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
The resulting free kick was taken by Szobozali but it curled around the post. Everton were able to get on the ball and Charly Alcaraz had a couple of pops at the goal but they were both blocked.
Everton thought they had scored when Beto broke through the lines but he had gone just a moment too soon. The VAR looked at it and everyone was hoping the new system was in place but when the two minutes were over, the offside was confirmed.
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Everton were gaining in confidence and Liverpool were getting tetchy. Both Beto and Alcaraz were pushing the Blues forward. Liverpool then took control and Jota’s strike was wild and went well over the bar. It was then Salah who tried to beat Pickford but the England number one was up to the task.
When Jake O’Brien strongly challenged Diaz, the Colombian went down and the referee felt it was a good play but the Anfield faithful were not in agreement. The temperature was rising.
A great outball from Doucoure put Beto into the open and the big Portuguese beat the goalkeeper but it came back off the post. What a chance! Moyes was stunned on the sideline.
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Everton were using the counter attack to good effect. Beto was almost the villain when his backpass was almost intercepted by Diogo Jota but for a nice play by Tarkowski. The Everton back line were then scrambling when Jones delivered a ball into the box but it was Tarkowski again who got the important touch to clear the ball.
Ryan Gravenberch was able to get a blistering shot off but it was slowed down by Tarkowski which allowed Pickford to easily catch it. Liverpool’s fourth corner led to another quick Everton break but when Beto went for the spectacular flying kick he caught the Liverpool goalie and the Anfield crowd called for another yellow but it was not to be.
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Everton’s third corner was delivered by Harrison and Gana was fouled on the edge of the box. Harrison and Garner lined it up and the delivery was good but Alcaraz could not get his header on net. It was the last action as the half ended.
The second half kicked off and Liverpool looked to pick up the pace from the start. Two early corners were cleared by Tarkowski but Everton were struggling to get control of the ball. In fact, they were collapsing deeper which was a worry. Pickford made a nice save when MacAllister broke through the back line.
Everton’s first foray forward was well developed but the final pass was poor. Liverpool then pushed forward and Jarrad Branthwaite bravely headed a ball away. Harrison then broke forward but could not decide what to do and passed the ball to Liverpool.
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Everton needed another fine play by Mykolenko who was struggling with fitness. Diogo Jota then showed incredible skill to weave through the Everton defenders and slammed the ball past Pickford. There was some question about offside but nothing was given.
FBL-ENG-PR-LIVERPOOL-EVERTON
Liverpool were not interested in sitting back and Everton were not giving up. The Evertonians raised their voices to lift their team. Liverpool hit double figures in corners but the defense was not giving the Reds anything about which to cheer.
Jack Harrison was withdrawn with Iliman Ndiaye making his return after five matches. He was immediately on the ball and it seemed to lift the Everton pay forcing two corners in quick succession but they could not take advantage.
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Andy Robertson delivered an incredible ball into the box but Branthwaite was there to clear the ball. There was a free kick given to Everton and I am not sure how Van Dyke was not given a yellow for his flagrant foul on Tarkowski.
Moyes was looking to make a switch to affect the game with Garner, Alcaraz and Beto coming off for Iroegbunam, Young and Broja. Liverpool then piled forward but Tarkowski was there again to cut out the final pass.
With five minutes to go, Moyes made his final change with Youseff Chermiti coming on for Doucoure as Luis Diaz was replaced by Gakpo. A frantic moment in the match as Iroegbunam went in on Jones and the whistle was blown. Nunez did not hear the whistle and he proceeded to go forward but a loose touch allowed Pickford to clear the ball. His follow through made contact which would have been a penalty but the whistle had blown. For his efforts, Nunez got a yellow......
Liverpool FC v Everton FC - Premier League Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Six minutes of additional time was announced as Everton looked for an equalizer. A pass from Mykolenko was just too much for Chermiti. Mo Salah was replaced by Endo to shore up the back. Everton pushed for the equalizer and a late corner gave Pickford the chance to go forward. A free kick was given for a foul on Kelleher. It was the final play as the whistle was blown and no miracle last minute goal was produced.
Everton Man of the Match: James Tarkowski - A fine game for Mykolenko as he kept Salah quiet but it was the captain James Tarkowski leading by example in his 500th professional appearance. He was massive and made some great plays to rob Liverpool of a number of chances. Unfortunately, he blocked a ball that was going to Diaz who was offside which then led to Jota’s goal.
Today, as always, was and should be about passion and fight. Everton showed that from start to finish and although the loss ends the unbeaten streak there is much to appreciate in the play of the team. Beto was a menace from the beginning and his running and fight just required the final touch. His first half chance that hit the post would have changed the game dramatically if he would have gone across the goalie. The other positive was the team on the pitch in the second half which included Ndiaye, Broja, and Alcaraz.
The main talking point involved Everton’s captain. The yellow card for Tarkowski immediately received a VAR review and was not upgraded to a red. Don Hutchison was on the commentary and immediately called it a red card. I understand that the contact was heavy but the contact was made in the follow through for the clearing kick. MacAllister was not close to getting the ball and I completely understand how the red was not given.
On another refereeing call on the goal, it was interesting that Diaz was not called for offside when Tarkowski was forced to try and clear the ball. It is a grey area in the rule because Diaz did not try to play the ball but Tarkowski had to play the ball or allow to Diaz to go in without a challenge.
A week ago it looked like Vitalii Mykolenko was going to be in the treatment room for some time after being injured on international duty. Thankfully, he was back in the starting lineup and once again the Ukrainian kept Mo Salah quiet. Mykolenko continues to grow as a player and seems to relish any chance of coming up against the Egyptian.
The very challenging month of April continues with a trip to Nottingham to play the surprise package of the season. The unbeaten streak may be over but that streak has solidified our Premier League status for next year. Moyes can see some of the returning players in order to assess them for next season which will be helpful for the gaffer.