Everton and Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Wednesday night, with James Tarkowski scoring a dramatic last-gasp equaliser.
The result means Everton climb one place in the table, leapfrogging West Ham United into 15th, while Liverpool fail to extend their lead at the top, though they remain seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
The atmosphere was electric for the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park and, rather expectedly, the opening minutes did not disappoint, with Beto drawing first blood much to the jubilation of Everton fans, only for Liverpool to show why they are Premier League leaders, drawing level within a matter of minutes through Alexis Mac Allister's header.
The Blues came flying out of the blocks from the second half restart and were narrowly denied the lead through Jarrad Branthwaite's header due to an offside against Jake O'Brien, but despite all of Everton's good work, it was Liverpool who took the lead with just under 20 minutes to play as Mohamed Salah scored his 22nd league goal.
There would be one final twist in the tale of this historic derby at Goodison Park, as Tarkowski wrote his name into Everton folklore with a fierce volley into the roof of the net in the final seconds, securing a phenomenal point for David Moyes and his men and sending the stadium into a frenzy.
The chaos continued after the full-time whistle, with a mass confrontation ensuing between both sets of players and coaches after Curtis Jones took issue with Abdoulaye Doucoure's celebrations in front of the Liverpool supporters, ending with red cards for both midfielders and Arne Slot, a truly wonderous finish to the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Every game that David Moyes is in charge of this Everton side, they appear to improve week after week and look increasingly more alike the side that the Scotsman was in charge of over a decade ago.
The intensity, tenacity and physicality of the Toffees is second to none, with the likes of Doucoure, Beto, O'Brien, Branthwaite, Tarkowski and many more all playing a major role in Everton's ability to effectively defend and attack, often bullying opposition players out of their way.
Everton were the better team throughout a large portion of the match, and the eventual draw will certainly give them huge confidence and provide a fantastic foundation to build upon for the remainder of the campaign.
As for Liverpool, it was another underwhelming performance from Slot's side, failing to amend their shock defeat to Plymouth Argyle last time out as they squander a 2-1 lead in the last seconds.
The Reds were second best to Everton but were twice bailed out from Salah's brilliance, though the Egyptian also had a quieter night than usual, but Liverpool still ultimately hold a considerable seven point lead at the top of the table with 14 games to play of the Premier League season.
EVERTON VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Beto goal vs. Liverpool (11th min, Everton 1-0 Liverpool)
EVERTON TAKE THE LEAD!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Beto keeps his composure in front of goal as Jarrad Branthwaite's free-kick catches the Liverpool backline sleeping 🎯
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Everton strike first in the Merseyside derby!
Branthwaite stands over a free kick just inside the Liverpool half, and the central defender looks set to play a long ball towards the box, but brilliantly picks out Beto, who has made a run into space inside the area.
Beto curves his run, allowing the ball to roll across his body and onto his right foot, and calmly places his shot past the onrushing Alisson Becker into the bottom right corner.
Alexis Mac Allister goal vs. Everton (16th min, Everton 1-1 Liverpool)
It's an instant response ⏰
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Mo Salah's pinpoint cross is finished off by Alexis Mac Allister!
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Well, that did not take long - Liverpool are level!
Mac Allister wins the ball back inside the Everton half, and the ball is quickly worked backwards and then wide to Salah on the right wing, where the Egyptian drives towards his marker and crosses into the box.
Salah delivers a perfect cross to Mac Allister, who has burst into the box, and the midfielder back-heads the ball perfectly into the bottom left corner, leaving Jordan Pickford with no chance.
Mohamed Salah goal vs. Everton (73rd min, Everton 1-2 Liverpool)
It just had to be him 👑
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Mo Salah's goal gives Liverpool the lead as we approach the closing stages!
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Liverpool take the lead, who else but Salah with the goal!
Luis Diaz's cross is cleared into the air by Tarkowski, and the ball drops kindly for Jones, who plays a one-two with Darwin Nunez and aims his shot for the far corner.
The strike is initially headed away from goal by Branthwaite, but Salah is in the right place at the right time to volley into the back of the net with his right foot.
James Tarkowski goal vs. Everton (98th min, Everton 2-2 Liverpool)
WHAT A GOAL. WHAT A MOMENT.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
THE SCENES! 😳
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Tarkowski in the last seconds has equalised for Everton!
The ball is bouncing everywhere inside the Liverpool half as Everton push for a last-gasp equaliser, and the ball is eventually put into the box.
The cross bounces inside the box and is headed on by Tim Iroegbunam, and it falls perfectly for Tarkowski to hammer his strike into the roof of the net.
102nd min: Curtis Jones (Liverpool) red card
Jones receives a red card as the midfielder is not happy with Doucoure's celebrations in front of the Liverpool supporters, sparking a mass confrontation between both sides.
102nd min: Doucoure (Everton) red card
Doucoure also receives a red card for his actions, sparking the frenzy by celebrating in front of the Liverpool crowd, much to the displeasure of Jones and the rest of the Liverpool squad.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JARRAD BRANTHWAITE
© Imago
Branthwaite was an absolute man-mountain for Everton throughout the 90 minutes and stoppage time, not only producing a solid defensive display but also turning creator with an assist.
The defender made a huge 16 clearances, blocked two shots, made one interception and one tackle and won four duels in a monstrous defensive outing for the Blues.
Several other players could have got the man of the match award on this historic night, with Salah, Tarkowski, Beto and Ibrahima Konate all deserving a mention.
EVERTON VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS
Possession: Everton 37%-63% Liverpool
Shots: Everton 10-6 Liverpool
Shots on target: Everton 3-4 Liverpool
Corners: Everton 2-3 Liverpool
Fouls: Everton 9-20 Liverpool
BEST STATS
After 16 minutes, today is the earliest that both Everton and Liverpool have scored from the start of a Premier League Merseyside derby since November 2013 (8th min), a match that finished 3-3. 🍿#EVELIV
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 12, 2025
22 - Mo Salah has been directly involved in 22 goals in Liverpool's 13 Premier League away games this season (13 goals, 9 assists), the most ever away goal involvements in a single season by any player in the competition's history, overtaking Andy Cole's 21 in 1993-94. King. pic.twitter.com/oVYPUBhkOs
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 12, 2025
Mo Salah moves up to 5th in the all-time Merseyside Derby goal scorers list 📈 pic.twitter.com/vfoO1Mynmg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Mo Salah has now scored and assisted in 40 different Premier League games.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Yes 40. pic.twitter.com/zHp5J7KC63
The Merseyside Derby record at Goodison Park...
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Everton wins: 41
Draws: 38
Liverpool wins: 41
Honours even 🤝 pic.twitter.com/VFImLxiDyI
WHAT NEXT?
Everton's attention will now turn to a trip to Selhurst Park, where they will aim to extend their lead over the drop zone as they face Crystal Palace on matchday 25 of the Premier League season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table as they face a challenging run of fixtures, first hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers before potential stumbling-block matches against Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United.
Ellis Stevens
