LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 12: Tempers flare between players at the end of the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on February 12, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool missed the chance to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table after a 2-2 draw against Everton in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Premier League
Result: Everton 2-2 Liverpool
Date: 12 February 2025
Venue: Goodison Park
The Reds brought back their regulars after a defeat to Plymouth in the FA Cup, as Luis Diaz was the only player retained, with Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo joining him in attack.
Everton had a perfect start after Beto gave them an early with a strike into the bottom after he raced through on goal from a pass by Jarrad Branthwaite.
It took Liverpool just five minutes to reply, as Alexis Mac Allister levelled matters with a flicked header from a cross by Salah.
Arne Slot’s charges took control of the game towards the half-hour mark but the Toffees looked more threatening on counter-attacks.
The Reds’ patience nearly paid off on the stroke of half-time after Szoboszlai fired a rocket from range that was repelled by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, as the sides went to the break level pegging.
Everton started the second stanza on a high note as Abdoulaye Doucoure and Jack Harrison had glorious chances but missed the target by whisker in close succession.
Liverpool struggled to get going after the hour-mark and Slot eventually made an attacking change, as Darwin Nunez replaced Gakpo to add urgency and physicality up top.
The introduction of Nunez gave Liverpool a new lease of life and with 17 minutes remaining, Salah sent them ahead with a strike from a rebound in the box.
The Reds were a constant threat looking to kill off the game in the dying minutes as Salah was unfortunate not to seal the three points with a strike into the top corner parried by the fingertips of Pickford.
The Toffees had a good spell in added time as they were desperately attacking for the equaliser and James Tarkowski finally fired home a screamer to make it 2-2 deep in stoppages from a flick on in the box.
The Reds went only seven points clear at the top of the log.
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