Everton: Three things we learnt from Everton 2-2 Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Referee Michael Oliver shows a red card to Richarlison of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Referee Michael Oliver shows a red card to Richarlison of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
1 of 4

Everton managed a 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

Everton and Liverpool played out an eventful and entertaining Merseyside Derby on Saturday afternoon at Goodison Park, with the sides unable to be separated at 2-2. Liverpool, hurting after their 7-2 beating at the hands of Aston Villa just before the international break, took an early lead through Sadio Mane before Michael Keane got Everton back on level terms.

Mohamad Salah then regained the visitors’ advantage before a towering header from Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the final ten secured Everton a valuable point in a historically difficult fixture.

Liverpool supporters will point to two crucial VAR decisions as playing an important role in the outcome of the tie – Jordan Pickford could have quite easily seen red for a clattering early challenge on Virgil Van Dijk that saw the centre-back go off injured, while Jordan Henderson had a late winner ruled out for a marginal offside.

Richarlison did indeed see red for a shocking challenge on Thiago, forcing Everton to finish the game with ten men. The result keeps Everton, high-fliers thus far in 2020/21, at the top of the table. Here are the three things we have learnt from the draw: