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Publication Date: Saturday October 17, 2020 2:31 AM
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his 10th goal of the season when Everton drew 2-2 with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
In one of the most even derby of recent years, the hosts were more than a match for the champions. A clinical goal from Mo Salah midway through the second half seemed to be enough to win before Calvert-Lewin tied with eight minutes to go.
Goals from Sadio Mane and Michael Keane saw the match 1-1 at halftime, while Virgil van Dijk was replaced with injury after a shocking tackle by Jordan Pickford, which went unpunished.
Liverpool’s new signing Thiago Alcantara made his debut in the 237 Merseyside derby on Saturday.
The Spanish international and Mane entered the team recovered from Covid-19, as did Jordan Henderson, who has not played for the club since September 20 due to a knee injury.
Joel Matip also made his first appearance since day one of the season, replacing Joe Gomez.
Everton were also in top form with Allan and Andre Gomes back in the starting lineup.
Liverpool with Mane back after a period of isolation opened the scoring after three minutes.
Left back Andy Robertson won 50-50 with Seamus Coleman on the right edge of the Everton area and his driven cross was shot home for the first time by Mane at the near post.
Under scrutiny England goalkeeper Pickford was lucky not to concede a penalty and receive a red card after colliding with the knee against Van Dijk.
“He could have easily been expelled.”
“Am I very surprised that you forgot?”
Jordan Pickford’s challenge on Virgil van Dijk didn’t look good 😬
Should the VAR have intervened after this? pic.twitter.com/wTcW6CHcIf
– Football at BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 17, 2020
Pickford was saved by a fringe VAR decision that determined Van Dijk’s shoulder was offside, and Everton benefited further when Liverpool’s defensive backbone was unable to continue and was replaced by Joe Gomez after 10 minutes.
And the presence of Van Dijk was greatly missed when Everton drew in the 20th minute.
Adrian was forced to stop Calvert-Lewin’s shot from behind and from the resulting corner the Liverpool goalkeeper put both hands on Keane’s header, but was only able to push him towards the ceiling of the net.
Liverpool should have been 2-1 up in 35 minutes with almost a carbon copy of their first goal.
Robertson put Mane back near the penalty spot, but the striker fired wide.
The game was level at the break, but Liverpool were pressing for a second shortly after.
Henderson and Fabinho fired, before Calvert-Lewin nearly reached the end of Lucas Digne’s ball.
However, the hosts closed in at the hour mark when Richarlison hit the wood with a good ball from James Rodriguez.
However, it was Liverpool who took the lead at 72 minutes. Yerry Mina’s punt attempt fell to Mo Salah and sent his effort, the first time, to the corner of the net.
Everton struck back through the prolific Calvert-Lewin. The Englishman headed in his 10th goal of the season, climbing higher at the back post to finish off a Digne cross home.
Richarlison saw red at the end after slipping in the end over Thiago as Everton finished with 10 men.
Henderson thought he had beaten it to death with a strike, but the goal was ruled out with Mane offside.
READ MORE: Klopp explains his line-up at Everton
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