After weeks away for international duty, the Premier League returned, and Liverpool made a seamless transition with a solid 1-0 victory over Everton.
Despite being without key players like Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, and Connor Bradley, the Reds maintained their form and secured three points in the 100th Merseyside Derby, reinforcing the fan-made slogan, “we made this city”, on a side of the stand.
“Massive, of course,” Diogo Jota said, emphasizing the significance of the derby win, scoring the decisive goal in the 57th minute.
This victory revitalized Liverpool's morale after earlier defeats in both the UCL and FA Cup prior to the international break.
With the tough win from Anfield, the team is in excellent shape to reclaim the title, last won in the COVID-affected 2020 season.
A win over Everton means something special
For those who haven’t watched many of Liverpool’s PL matches this season, there’s no need to feel panic or dissatisfaction with the result.
A score of 1-0 may not seem convincing, but analyzing how the opponent has avoided relegation since David Moyes took charge—following his tenure at Everton from 2002 to 2013—highlights Liverpool‘s resilience in winning this derby.
“Hard-fought, definitely, ” Slot said, who wasn’t surprised about the process as he pointed out Everton’s recent momentum. “Everton were nine games in a row unbeaten, hardly ever concede a goal, hardly ever concede a chance.”
Moyes was appointed as Everton's manager on January 11, 2025, following Sean Dyche’s dismissal. At that time, the team sat just above the relegation zone.
Moyes directed the squad to only two losses while earning three points against formidable opponents like Tottenham Spurs and Brighton.
Many Reds supporters still feel the sting of the tight February contest at Goodison Park, when Liverpool was equalized by Tarkowski in the closing moments.
Despite injuries, Liverpool bounced back impressively. Their remarkable depth allowed one of the best backup goalkeepers to shine.
To address the right-back absence due to injuries, Slot shifted midfielder Curtis Jones to fill in there. Though it was an unfamiliar role, he performed admirably defensively, recording six recoveries.
“It's not something that came up last week. It's something that I've thought about and we've thought about for a bit longer,” Slot said. “(In the) first half of the season there were already moments where I talked about this with him that I think he is able to do this in games or in moments of games. ”
Jota scored his 65th goal for Liverpool, ending a 10-game scoring drought since January. This goal not only boosted his confidence but also affirmed his potential to shine in crucial moments.
His last goal against Forest was decisive in a tight match, and this time, he secured three points for his team at Anfield.
“I always believe in myself. I trust that chances will come, and I need to be ready to take them,” Jota remarked.
Liverpool could finish the season strong
Liverpool is well-positioned to finish the season strong. Although exiting major tournaments like the EFL Cup, FA Cup, and UCL is disappointing, we must remember the uncertainty surrounding the team’s future when Slot was appointed last year.
Initially, expectations were low since Slot set minor tactical goals for rebuilding the team. However, the process progressed smoothly, and the team embraced his more controlled system effectively.
Liverpool still only has one defeat in the Premier League so far. This Derby victory should serve as a reminder that Liverpool is still a dominant force in England.
With a 12-point gap from Arsenal and an unbeaten record this season, it would be absurd if Liverpool did not secure the title.