Liverpool emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Merseyside derby, defeating Everton 2-0 at Anfield. Mohamed Salah’s brace in the second half secured the win for the Reds in a hard-fought encounter.

Salah’s goals not only sealed the victory but also marked a significant milestone for the Egyptian forward. He became the first Liverpool player since Peter Beardsley 32 years ago to score in Anfield’s opening four league matches. Additionally, Salah’s penalty in the 75th minute was his 200th career league goal. His second goal of the match was his 104th at home for Liverpool, surpassing legends Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard to claim fifth place on the club’s all-time Anfield scorers list.

The match took a turn just before halftime when Everton’s Ashley Young received a second yellow card and was sent off, reducing the Toffees to ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Everton was unable to break through Liverpool’s defense and create significant scoring opportunities for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Liverpool dominated the game, particularly on the counter-attack and from Everton’s attacking set-pieces. They had several chances to score, including a four-on-two opportunity that resulted in a blocked shot. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side lacked sharpness in the final third, which played into Everton’s defensive strategy.

The turning point came in the 52nd minute when Michael Keane’s handball in the penalty area led to Salah converting a spot-kick, extending his remarkable run of either scoring or assisting in 15 consecutive Premier League matches. The goal also marked Liverpool’s 50th goal against Everton at Anfield in the Premier League.

As the match progressed, Liverpool continued to push forward, with Elliott and Jota coming close to adding to the scoreline. However, it was Salah who sealed the victory in added time, capitalizing on a quick counter-attack orchestrated by Darwin Nunez.

The win extended Liverpool’s impressive record in Merseyside derbies, with only one defeat in the last 28 encounters against Everton. On the other hand, Everton suffered their sixth loss of the season, leaving their fans still waiting for a live victory at Anfield since 1999, as their only win in 2021 came behind closed doors during the Covid-19 era.

Liverpool’s triumph in the Merseyside derby further solidifies their position as title contenders in the Premier League, while Everton will look to bounce back and improve their form in the coming matches.