Ultimately, it seemed that Liverpool required that maybe more than any of us outsiders had understood.
For the majority of us, especially those not directly participating, the title race has seemed concluded for quite some time.
However, it certainly hasn't appeared that way for Liverpool. And there were indications all around during a somewhat tense 1-0 victory against Everton that expands their advantage over Arsenal back to 12 points.
The tension at Anfield and the overwhelming sound of relief that welcomed Diogo Jota’s goal and the final whistle, the lively '10 seconds' signals in the closing moments from a manager who has (almost always…) radiated calm during Liverpool’s title campaign but couldn’t remain still as time ran out here.
Various oddities have hindered Liverpool in recent weeks. It seems ridiculous that this was their initial Premier League match since March 8. Liverpool was forced to remain passive and observe as Arsenal chipped away at their seven-point advantage; even without the added distress of a Champions League exit and a Carabao mishap, it would still prompt some reflection.
It had truly been an alarmingly long period since Liverpool had won a football match, considering how well things are currently progressing.
It wasn't particularly surprising that this game turned out to be a tough challenge. It wasn’t Liverpool’s strongest or weakest display of the season, but it was mostly expected against an Everton team that organized itself to defend solidly and counter-attack with aggression and quickness. On a different night, it definitely might have succeeded.
Beto's relentless and mostly unacknowledged efforts at the forefront could have easily been recognized. Despite frequently being alone, he caused significant trouble for both Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, especially in that first half. He found the net with the ball when slightly offside, and he ought to have scored moments later when unmarked on goal following a van Dijk mis-kick.
Beto nets that one, and everyone's discussing a Moyes Masterclass.
However, Beto hitting the post wasn't even the initial significant sliding-doors moment of this game. Liverpool's eventual victory may lessen the uproar slightly, yet it likely should not. How James Tarkowski avoided a red card for driving his studs into Alexis Mac Allister’s leg is something we truly need clarification on.
Disregard the Utter Woke Nonsense! and He Got The Ball! discussions that will undoubtedly arise from certain sectors. Tarkowski was fully aware of his actions, and this situation met all the criteria that are said to require acknowledgment for significant foul behavior. It jeopardized an adversary, and Tarkowski’s far-from-silent role in this season’s Merseyside Derbies ought to have concluded right there just 10 minutes into the match.
We don’t blindly believe that former professionals always have the right answers, yet this type of challenge – the leg-shattering move poorly masked as an ordinary and harmless clearance that went wrong – is one situation where we should all yield. Everyone is aware that Tarkowski understands what he’s doing. Everyone agrees it's an obvious red card.
If you found yourself still supporting Tarkowski by the time half-time came and Duncan Actual Ferguson was saying, ‘Absolutely a straight red card every day,’ then it’s truly time to reflect on your perspective.
Liverpool, for their part, struggled significantly to navigate a way through Everton’s clustered defenses. Liverpool are not exactly tripping at the finish – they have only lost one league match all season, and that was in September – yet some of the smoothness and composure of their finest early season performances has currently faded away. We believe that you will notice that return once the title is validated.
The objective was splendid, as Luis Diaz touched the ball into the route of Diogo Jota, who showed quickness in both thought and movement to first free himself from the grasp of Everton's defenders and then slide the ball beyond Jordan Pickford. It wasn’t either the assist or the goal one would anticipate from players who have faced significant criticism lately for their minimal contributions in crucial moments on the field.
For Luis Diaz specifically, it was the pivotal highlight of a great night’s effort. Jota remained inconsistent overall, yet it's difficult to dispute the caliber he displayed in that crucial instance when chance presented itself.
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