Liverpool

Image source, The Mirror / The Times

The Merseyside derby rarely disappoints and Wednesday's didn't either.

Diogo Jota's goal, which Everton boss David Moyes insisted should have been ruled out for offside, was all that separated the two sides at Anfield as Liverpool edged closer a 20th top-flight title.

But before that moment of magic from Jota, there was another controversial incident with Everton defender James Tarkowski fortunate to stay on the pitch for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.

Tarkowski received only a yellow card and the video assistant referee (VAR) decided not to upgrade the tackle to a red card.

While praising Jota, Thursday's back pages are labelling it a "horror tackle" and questioning how it was not a red card.

Image source, Mail / Daily Telegraph

Highlights and analysis from nine midweek Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

• Nottingham Forest 1-0 Man Utd

• Liverpool 1-0 Everton

• Newcastle 2-1 Brentford

Liverpool, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are interested in Algeria striker Mohamed Amoura, 24, who is currently on loan at Wolfsburg from Union St-Gilloise (L'Equipe - in French), external

The Reds have also been in contact with representatives of Japan winger Takefusa Kubo, 23, and could make a move in the summer if Real Sociedad fail to qualify for Europe.(Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, 32, is set to extend his contract at Anfield after all. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

Manchester United and Newcastle are showing interest in Como's 19-year-old Senegal winger Assane Diao. (Caught Offside, external)

The Reds and Chelsea want to sign 19-year-old Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen this summer, but will face competition from Real Madrid for the £50m-rated Spain international. (Independent), external

Finally, 19-year-old Scotland winger Ben Doak, who is on loan at Middlesbrough, could move to Everton this summer in a £30m deal.(Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to Sky Sports: "A very, very difficult team to play against because of their playing style. That's not only for us, but for every team because they were nine games unbeaten.

"A very good manager has brought them back to life. The amount of shots they blocked, the effort they put in to defend inside their own box, and then the threat they had on the counter-attack - so difficult to play against. But our boys showed immense character, I think we created more than in the away game, and in the end we scored a good goal and kept a clean sheet.

"I liked much more what I saw here than the away game. I could feel that we were getting closer, but there's a reason they hardly ever concede a goal or a chance. They bring so many bodies back, and they have players who are so good at blocking shots. We knew if we wanted to win this game we had to keep a clean sheet. To score more than one goal would have been very hard."

On the James Tarkowski VAR decision: "Alexis [Mac Allister] is OK because he kept on playing. He's used to something because he's from South America.

"I think everybody has said something about it, so why should I add to it. It's so obvious that it's not necessary for me to comment. I'd prefer to talk about the goal or Curtis Jones' performance or something else."

On Diogo Jota's goal: "It's not easy to score against them. Great goal, according to the rules it was a goal so no one can complain about that. There is always question marks, but the good thing is we've got rules. At least they just showed on TV that it's a clear goal.

"I would be frustrated if I concede that goal, but then I'm frustrated about the rule and not the execution of the rule. The rule itself is frustrating because I think you always have to help, in my opinion, the offensive team."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have lost just one of their past 25 home Premier League matches against Everton (W15 D9) - a 2-0 defeat in 2020-21.

This was the Reds' first 1-0 Premier League win at Anfield since May 2023 against Brentford – between that win and tonight, they had won at home with seven different scorelines.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's goalscorer Diogo Jota, speaking to Sky Sports: "Massive, of course. Not only because it is a derby, but because of the international break.

"It was important to start with three points and hopefully that gives us momentum for the rest of the season.

"I always believe in myself and believe that the chances will come. The three points was the most important today."

On the title race: "The only way is to keep winning games."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Wednesday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Bournemouth v Ipswich

• Brighton v Aston Villa

• Man City v Leicester City

• Newcastle v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Southampton v Crystal Palace

• Liverpool v Everton (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

"Things happen in football" so Liverpool cannot take "anything for granted" as they head into the Merseyside derby, says former striker John Aldridge.

The Reds sit top of the Premier League table with a nine-point cushion over second-placed Arsenal, with a game in hand.

With the league title their one remaining trophy to play for this season, Liverpool will be looking to reinstate their 12-point lead when they host city rivals Everton on Wednesday.

"Liverpool have [something to worry about]. We're in a tricky situation which we haven't been in all season," Aldridge told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We've lost a bit of confidence, going out to PSG and then Newcastle deservedly winning the [League] Cup, with a couple of dodgy games in between. They've gone off the boil a little bit.

"We shouldn't have any problems being nine points clear with a game in hand, but things happen in football.

"I don't take anything for granted. The points are there to be had and we need to make sure we don't slip up."

The Toffees have a poor recent record at Anfield and boss David Moyes has never won there in his managerial career. However, Aldridge feels the form of both sides will give them confidence.

"I've spoke to a couple of Everton fans and they fancy themselves for the first time in a long time against Liverpool," he added.

"They will look at the Newcastle game. A lot of things will come out of that game tonight for Everton - corners in particular, free-kicks, make it scrappy in midfield, don't let Liverpool get any fluency.

"Anfield is not Goodison Park - that is a cauldron at times but Anfield is a cauldron in itself. It will be tough, but if we play well then we will win the game."

Image source, Getty Images

The Athletic's Liverpool reporter James Pearce believes the memories of the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park will be "looming large" when the Reds host Everton on Wednesday.

There were four red cards handed out after full-time of the 2-2 draw, including for Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

Since then, Liverpool have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League but been knocked out of the Champions League last 16 by Paris St-Germain and beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Newcastle

"There was definitely a burning sense of injustice in terms of some of the decisions that went against Liverpool," Pearce said. "We saw those emotions bubble over.

"There's definitely that sense of Liverpool owing Everton one.

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"The biggest thing for Liverpool going into this derby is they have to learn lessons from that Newcastle game. If you're Everton, you would look at what Newcastle did and the blueprint is there.

"They broke the game up, there wasn't much fluency and they were physical and combative. They outmuscled and outfought Liverpool and caused them a lot of problems from set-pieces.

"Liverpool can't let it become the game Everton want it to be in the same way they allowed Newcastle to dictate things at Wembley.

"I think there will be an element of those memories from Goodison looming large when Liverpool take to the pitch on Wednesday night."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Liverpool have had a break since going out of the Champions League and losing the Carabao Cup final, and I don't think we will see them wobble here. Quite the opposite in fact, now their focus is just on the Premier League.

The Reds also felt wronged by Everton's late equaliser at Goodison Park in February so there will be all of that bubbling under, and Arne Slot's side will feel they have a point to prove.

They are going to put Everton under all sorts of pressure, but the Toffees will be well organised defensively and have an eye on a counter-attack too.

Everton boss David Moyes has transformed a team that was lacking belief, and he would love nothing more than to go to Anfield and get something.

I am expecting a typical derby, in that I would not be surprised if this is another emotional game as well as an explosive one, with maybe a couple of players losing their heads.

There will be plenty of drama along the way, but I am pretty sure Liverpool will be back to their best form and end up taking the three points.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is not expecting anything different from the previous Merseyside derby this season, while Everton boss David Moyes is hoping to turn around his Anfield form.

In their delayed February meeting, the Toffees scored late on to rescue a controversial 2-2 draw, with Slot one of four people to receive a red card after the full-time whistle.

"Football-wise, I expect the same," said the Dutchman.

"It would be a surprise if they are going to do anything different, and we are top of the league so it would be strange if we were going to change something as well.

"In the final stages of the season, every game matters."

The Reds have lost just one of their past 24 top-flight home matches against Everton, while Moyes has yet to win at Anfield as manager in 21 attempts.

"I'd be lying if I said I look forward to going to it [Anfield] all the time," the former Manchester United and West Ham manager said.

"We might be further away from Liverpool than we ever have been at the moment.

"I want to win and I want to make sure we get rid of [this record] at Anfield."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool have lost just one of their past 24 Premier League home games against Everton, winning five of the past six at Anfield.

Following a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park in the reverse fixture, Everton are looking to avoid defeat in both Premier League meetings with Liverpool for the first time since 2020-21, when they won 2-0 at Anfield after a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

Games between Liverpool and Everton have produced more red cards than any other fixture in Premier League history (25), with the Toffees' 17 reds against the Reds also the most one team has against another in the competition. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones were both sent off late on in the reverse fixture in February.

There is confidence in Saudi Arabia that Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, 32, is open to joining the Saudi Pro League once his deal expires with the Reds this summer. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Brighton have put £100m price tags on 23-year-old Brazil forward Joao Pedro and 21-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba to fend off interest from Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea. (Talksport), external

Newcastle are plotting a surprise move for Liverpool's 21-year-old English midfielder Harvey Elliott. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Liverpool boss Arne Slot provided an update on injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, heavily linked with a summer move to Real Madrid, at Tuesday's news conference.

The Reds boss also said he "always tries to be rational" when it comes to the side's results after recent defeats.

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

If I managed this Liverpool team, the first thing I would do for the run-in is... beat Everton.

Winning the Merseyside derby on Wednesday will finish Arsenal off. They have a tiny chance as it is, but if we lose the first game back off the international break, a narrative will form - especially given how dreadful we were in the Carabao Cup final.

In truth, Liverpool needed the mental breather that the international break provided, and the fact we were not in the FA Cup at the weekend was a blessing, too.

The players ran out of legs against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League and had nothing for the Wembley final with Newcastle a few days later.

They have been back in training for a few days and Arne Slot will be keen to get revenge on Everton for what happened at Goodison Park in February.

A furious Slot confronted referee Michael Oliver at full-time, earning himself a two-game ban in the process.

But if Liverpool fail to beat Everton for the second time this season, the blame can only lie internally. It is time to end Arsenal's hopes for good.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for the one thing that is going under the radar at Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Tony: I'm pleased that Arne Slot has taken this team (Jurgen Klopp's team) and got us within a grasp of the title. But players will leave and retire and only then after Slot has to buy his own players, can we fully see his team and how they'll perform.

Charlie: Has Slot got the motivational ability to match his technical expertise? I have every faith he does, but we aren't talking about how there are different skillsets for motivation and tactics. Tactical managers can lean on their captain for inspiration, but with our captain yet to renew, it is all on Slot. The end of the season will ask this question as tired legs will limit the tactical impact and instead, gutsy performances will be required.

Ken: The difficulty ratings of the remaining fixtures in comparison to Arsenal's show that talk of the title is premature. All talk about contracts etc need to be set aside and the whole club, including the fans, need to make one big final push during this run-in. It starts with Everton on Wednesday and they are owed one after their histrionics in the reverse fixture not so long ago.

Callum: While people are on about the contract situation, no-one is really talking about the lack of depth that has proven costly recently.

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Jamie: Next season we are going to have three keepers who should all be at first-choice level. It is obvious Caiomhin Kelleher will be sold in the summer and I'd assume Giorgi Mamardashvili will be our new back-up until Alisson calls it a day. Personally I don't know why Kelleher couldn't have been the keeper to take over when Alisson finishes. I've always thought Mamardashvili was just a pointless signing.

Alastair: What happens in the summer happens. The title run-in is the most important thing now until the end of the season.

Taylor: It's shocking that such a talented team with Virgil van Dijk and Ibou Konate have such a dismal record of scoring from corners and set-pieces. One goal scored from a corner could have given a different result against PSG and Newcastle but it appears as if the club are so confident of winning through goals from open play goals that there's no organised plan to score from corners.

James: Homegrown players. If we are losing Trent, Kelleher possibly Harvey Elliott and Jow Gomez, how do we make the European homegrown quota next year in the Champions League?

With Trent Alexander-Arnold being heavily linked with a summer switch to Real Madrid, what would that move mean for his legacy at Liverpool?

Fans Abigail Rudkin and Dan Clubbe tell The Football News Show why he would not be viewed as a club legend if he left, but also how his success at Real, and how the Reds would cope without him, could soften supporters' viewpoints.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer