Everton exit FA cup to Liverpool in dramatic Anfield clash

Gylfi Sigurdsson was on target for Everton, but a late goal from Virgil Van Dijk sent Liverpool to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

With sad inevitability, Everton crashed out of the FA Cup to Liverpool, as the Reds made it 16 Merseyside derbies unbeaten. The match completed a grim day at Goodison Park, as Ross Barkley finally left the club. Everton were, however, able to confirm the signing of Turkish striker Cenk Tosun.

The First Half

The game started slowly, and neither side was able to carve out an opening. Yannick Bolasie looked lively for Everton but met his match with Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson, and failed to make much impact in the final third.

Before the end of the first half Liverpool had the upper hand. Adam Lallana jinked around the edge of the Everton penalty box and fell to the floor on contact from Mason Holgate. The referee Robert Madley duly pointed to the spot. James Milner converted for The Reds – one nil.

The penalty decision was contentious to say the least. Holgate had hands on Lallana, but it is unlikely he had enough of a grip to force the Liverpool player to the floor. Needless to say, few supported the decision. According to the Daily Mirror, even Jurgen Klopp was sceptical about it in his post-match interview.

Minutes later, another flashpoint involving Holgate. The young defender pushed Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino off the pitch, which saw the Brazilian land in the stands. In the ensuing altercation between the two, Holgate was clearly extremely offended by something Firmino said. Eventually, Madley cooled the situation, and neither were booked.

This point overshadowed what was otherwise a pulsating derby fixture. Watching on TV, we have no idea what Firmino did. In the UK at least, the replay footage was obscured by Jonjoe Kenny at the point Holgate became so incensed. According to the Liverpool Echo, the FA have elected to investigate the incident. If the worst has happened, Firmino deserves a long ban.

Second Half

The Blues started poorly in the second half. Already on a yellow card, Wayne Rooney made a silly challenge. He was promptly substituted by Sam Allardyce to avoid the red. All in all, Rooney had a poor game. The passion was clear, but he couldn’t quite match it with maturity.

Allardyce put on Ademola Lookman, who immediately looked a threat to the Liverpool line. The Reds continued to press forward and Everton were lucky to avoid conceding a second, as Joe Gomez headed wide in the 53rd minute.

The Anfield defence was finally breached as a result of a Liverpool attack. Bolasie broke from defending a corner and fed an onrushing Phil Jagielka. The Everton captain then pulled it back to Gylfi Sigurdsson, who finished coolly in the bottom right corner. All in all, a great counter-attacking goal. The game was level again.

The two teams continued to exchange attacks, as the Liverpool defence looked rattled. Loris Karius looked particularly poor in goal for the Reds, and almost cost his team multiple times through poor decision-making.

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The Everton defence looked solid meanwhile. Jagielka had an immense game, whilst the makeshift full-back group of Cuco Martina and Jonjoe Kenny did little wrong. Holgate did well to regain composure in the second half after his involvements in the first 45 minutes.

Heartbreak for the Blue half of Merseyside would come though. From a routine corner in the 83rd minute, Liverpool debutant Virgil Van Dijk headed home into an empty net.

This was poor form from Everton. Jordan Pickford committed to collecting the cross but was left in no man’s land. Oumar Niasse meanwhile sprung from the near post for unknown reasons, leaving the goal wide open. It was a disappointing end to the derby, especially considering the Blue’s defensive progress in recent weeks.

The game fizzled out, and Everton lost another thrilling derby encounter. Now Allardyce needs to re-energise the team as they prepare for Tottenham next week.

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What’s your take on Everton’s performance against Liverpool? Are you pleased that the Cenk Tosun signing is finally confirmed? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.