Scrappy Liverpool Emerges Unscathed in Merseyside Derby
It was less than impressive victory for Liverpool against Everton but good enough to hold onto its 12-point lead at the top EPL standings
Table-toppers Liverpool looked anything but champion material against Everton in the Merseyside derby. But Arne Slot's team, despite its patchy ways, emerged with a 1-0 win with Diogo jota slamming home the winner in the second-half (57th minute). The team, which had suffered consecutive defeats to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, was less than convincing.
But the win ensured Liverpool restored their 12-point advantage at the top of the Premier League. It now needs a maximum of 13 points from its final eight games to secure the title. Liverpool now has 73 points in 30 games, and Everton, who was on a nine-game league unbeaten streak, is 15th on 34 points. For the record, Arsenal is at number 2 with 61 points in 30 games.
If it does win the title, it would be a record-equalling 20th one and first since 2020 in Slot's maiden season.
Elsewhere, at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City, without the services of its Norwegian star Erling Haaland, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, put it past Leicester City with a compact 2-0 win.
Pep Guardiola's men shot into the lead in just two minutes to go in front as Jack Grealish tapped home from close range --- his first league goal since December 2023. City went two-nil up in the 29th minute after Egypt forward Omar Marmoush made the most out of Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen's error.
City is now in fourth place, one point ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle which defeated Brentford 2-1. Nottingham Forest is at the third slot.
The top four qualify for the Champions League automatically, while fifth place is likely to also provide a berth in Europe's top club contest.
