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The Reds picked up their first league win of 2023 as they beat Everton in the Merseyside derby.
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo were both on target as Liverpool secured the bragging rights in the Merseyside derby on Monday night.
Liverpool had been struggling for form this year and all season, with no wins since the end of December 2022.
Jurgen Klopp’s men went into the game on the back of an embarrassing loss to Wolves while Everton came into the match with full confidence after beating Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge.
Liverpool’s dominant start
Liverpool were dominant right from the start, with Klopp’s men playing fast-paced football, which they were known for.
The Reds looked charge for the occasion, attacking from the flanks. Liverpool’s first chance of the game fell into the path of Gakpo, but the Netherlands international headed wide after a miscued overhead kick from Darwin Nunez fell into his path.
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The Reds continued to peg Everton back as the Toffees struggled to cope with Liverpool’s overlapping full-backs.
Liverpool eventually took the lead nine minutes before halftime but not without a scare. The Reds almost conceded the opener after James Tarkowski’s header from Alex Iwobi's corner hit the post.
Thankfully, Liverpool were able to clear, and from that clearance, they took the lead through Mohamed Salah, who finished a superb ball from Nunez.
Salah’s strike was Liverpool’s first goal in the Premier League since the 3-1 loss to Brentford on January 2nd.
Gakpo kills off Everton
Liverpool went into the break with a one-goal lead but it did not take them long before they doubled their lead following the restart.
The Reds scored their second of the game, four minutes into the second half through Gakpo, who tapped home from close range following a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It was Gakpo’s first goal since he joined Liverpool from PSV in January. The 23-year-old’s strike killed all hopes Everton had left as Liverpool went on to dominate the game.
Liverpool had more chances to score in the game but they were profligate in the final third. It did not matter, though, as they went on to secure their first league victory this year.
The win keeps up their slim chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Liverpool are currently nine points behind fourth-place Newcastle but have a game in hand.
The Reds could reduce the point gap to six when they meet the Magpies in their next game on Saturday evening.
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