Liverpool and Everton squared off in Premier League action on Saturday. The two clubs are bitter cross-town rivals and their match up is dubbed the Merseyside Derby.
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The game got off to an interesting start, with both teams having claims to a lack of penalty calls. There might have been none more egregious than the non-call on an apparent handball by Everton midfielder Gareth Barry.
He threw his hands up in the air over his head in an effort to make himself big, like you would to scare off wildlife, and the shot went off his hand. Barry already had a yellow card at this point so had it been called, Liverpool would’ve not only gotten a penalty kick but the would’ve played the remainder of the game with a man-advantage.
It wasn’t until the second half when either team finally scored to break the scoreless draw. It was a curling free-kick over the wall from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Everton goal keeper Tim Howard got a hand on it but wasn’t able to stop it from going in.
In stoppage time, Everton were able to tie things with a huge goal from captain Phil Jagielka. The ball came out of the box and Jagielka just ripped the shot on goal and the ball curled beautifully away from Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet to go in just under the cross bar.
Having just tied the game, Everton got another free kick from the side of the box but couldn’t score to take the late lead and steal the win.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw and here are three things we’ve learned from the contest.
Liverpool’s offense is just fine
Liverpool hasn’t been the offensive superpower they were last year without striker Luis Suarez. His running partner Daniel Sturridge has been injured at the beginning this season and with an influx of new players it looked like they were struggling to find their offensive rhythm.
That wasn’t the case on Saturday. Liverpool had a total of 24 shots, 17 of which were on target. That is a tremendous offensive output and Everton goalkeeper was peppered. Still, Tim Howard was able to keep his team in the game except for one goal and made at least one phenomenal save to do so.
Tim Howard still has it
This might seem crazy coming off of the World Cup when Tim Howard had a record setting performance against Belgium.
In the past two games for Everton he has given up six goals, and there was the six goal loss to Chelsea in late August. This big performance from Howard was what fans needed to prove they still got it.
Liverpool still can’t close
Liverpool has had a rough time closing out games as of late. They took a lead against Ludogorets in Champions League play to only have them tie it up in stoppage time. Fortunately in that game Steven Gerrard scored a penalty in stoppage time as well to regain the lead and get the win.
On Saturday at home, Liverpool once again gave up a lead in stoppage time. Everton out possessed Liverpool barely, 53-47, and Liverpool outshot Everton.
Still their crosstown rivals got 11 shots, six of which were on target, and Liverpool’s defense struggled down the stretch.
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