The postponed Matchday 15 Merseyside Derby took place at Goodison Park, marking the final derby at the historic stadium. In a dramatic encounter, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Everton snatching a point from Liverpool.
This season, Everton has been a thorn in the side of top teams, whether under Sean Dyche or now managed by David Moyes. They have held Chelsea and Newcastle to draws at home, defeated Tottenham, and also managed draws against Arsenal and Manchester City away.
Since Moyes took charge, Everton’s attack has been particularly impressive, scoring 10 goals in the last four matches. The team’s wing play has significantly improved, with faster and more direct attacks, making crosses a potent weapon. Moyes, known for his emphasis on crossing during his brief stint at Manchester United—where his team once attempted 81 crosses in a single match—has brought this style to Everton. In this derby, his tactics paid off as defender James Tarkowski scored in the 97th minute to secure a point against Liverpool.
After this season, Everton will bid farewell to Goodison Park, their home since 1892, and move to a modern new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which will accommodate 52,000 fans. With Moyes back at the helm, Everton is now comfortably clear of the relegation zone, ensuring they will play in the Premier League at their new ground next season.
For league leaders Liverpool, the draw extended their unbeaten run to 20 Premier League matches. While the result wasn’t ideal, the point keeps them seven points clear at the top. Liverpool managed only six shots in the game, their lowest tally this season, highlighting Everton’s effective defensive work, particularly on the flanks.
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s main attacking threat, once again delivered in a tough away game. Despite limited chances, he contributed a goal and an assist, marking his ninth Premier League match this season with both a goal and an assist. However, Luis Díaz, playing as a makeshift striker, struggled to make an impact and has now gone 10 club games without a goal. Substitute Darwin Núñez also found few opportunities, and with Cody Gakpo quiet on the left, Liverpool relied heavily on Salah. The Egyptian forward didn’t disappoint, providing the assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s equalizing header in the first half and scoring himself in the second half to put Liverpool ahead.
Despite Salah’s heroics, Liverpool’s defensive performance raised concerns. The team conceded twice, with both goals involving French center-back Ibrahima Konaté. Konaté, who also had a suspected handball incident in the box, remains Virgil van Dijk’s only reliable partner in defense, as Joe Gomez is currently injured and young Jarell Quansah has yet to prove himself. Liverpool’s defensive lapses in the first and final 10 minutes of the match highlighted a lack of focus and resilience under pressure.
Looking ahead, Liverpool faces a grueling schedule, with five league matches in 15 days. February could be a pivotal month in their title race. The Premier League, keen to keep the title race alive, will hope Liverpool’s lead doesn’t grow insurmountable. The Reds’ next challenge is an away trip to Aston Villa, followed by a crucial clash against Manchester City and a home game against Newcastle. To maintain their lead, Liverpool must improve both offensively and defensively. They need to reduce their reliance on Salah for goals, with Núñez and Diogo Jota expected to step up. Defensively, they must provide better support for Konaté.
While Liverpool’s current position is strong, history reminds us that no lead is safe. In the 1995-96 season, Newcastle led Manchester United by 12 points after 23 rounds, only for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to overtake them and win the title. Liverpool must remain vigilant as the season progresses.