Liverpool left to rue lack of clinical edge
Rooney earns Everton a point against dominant Reds
THE bitterest of days where Jordan Henderson completed 60 passes in the first half. That’s six more than the entire Everton team in the same period.
Statistics can often be misleading but this one reflected a reality. A manager can have strategy but if he does not have the players to execute it and the opponent has an abundance of quality, there will usually be only one outcome.
But then, there are those occasions where dominance is so absolute, a team forgets to score for a second time. Complacency filters in from the crowd. Stupid mistakes are made. And then the struggling team’s opportunity presents itself. This is what happened here.
Only Dejan Lovren can explain why he decided it was necessary to place his arm across Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s back. Judging by his protestations when referee Craig Pawson awarded the penalty, he did not think it was enough to send the striker sprawling.
It gave Wayne Rooney a chance. With that, the mood of an entire stadium shifted dramatically. Everton’s winless run at Anfield in the league will stretch into a 20th year, yet this was a small victory for them.
Sam Allardyce might claim that this was his plan all along. This point was a product of Liverpool’s inefficiency, though.
The result leaves Jurgen Klopp with questions to answer. He made six changes to the team that did not have to exert much energy in beating Spartak Moscow 7-0 on Wednesday. If Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino were on from the start rather than appearing from the bench, perhaps Liverpool would have been more ruthless.
The kick off provided an immediate insight into
Everton’s mindset.
Gylfi Sigurdsson passed the ball back to Mason Holgate. Holgate boomed a pass forward that hinted at more of a clearance. It went straight into the Kop. As early as the 20th minute, Rooney was telling Jordan Pickford to take more time with his goal kicks.
By the half-hour mark, Liverpool had 80 per cent possession. Yet none of their six shots at that point had been on target.
It would take a moment of genius to alter the pattern. That moment was delivered by Mohamed Salah (left with Sadio
Mane) whose 19th goal of the season involved a sharp turn past Cuco Martina, a twist that negated Idrissa Gueye’s presence as irrelevant and then a glorious curling shot beyond Pickford.
Everton lost focus. Liverpool were rampant and their halftime lead should have been two. Having been released by Dominic Solanke, though, and with Everton’s defenders trailing, Sadio Mane rushed his responsibility. Solanke’s inclusion had been another surprise decision by Klopp.
Further opportunities came. Salah headed wide via a superb James Milner cross. Pickford palmed away a delivery from the wing just when it seemed Mane was destined to make it 2-0. Liverpool’s control was unquestionable and the level of confidence inside Anfield was reflected by ironic home cheers when Everton forced their first corner in minute 70.
At 1-0, any team is always at risk. All that is needed to change the mood is a lapse in concentration or a flicker of old brilliance from someone like Rooney. Everton got both because it was Rooney’s pass that prompted Calvert-Lewin into a foot race.
Lovren seemed to have the situation under control as the striker was heading away from goal. Yet as soon as the Croatian placed an arm on his back, it gave Calvert-Lewin the reason to fall. It was only Everton’s second penalty at Anfield since 1937. Rooney would make no mistake. Out of nothing, Everton were saved.