Match reportLiverpool and Everton play out Merseyside derby draw at Goodison Park

A goal deep into added time from home defender James Tarkowski saw the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park finish all square.

Beto opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, though Alexis Mac Allister quickly headed the Reds back onto level terms.

Salah netted in minute 73 to put Liverpool ahead for the first time, but Tarkowski had the final say in the 98th minute of the game.

Team

In total, Arne Slot made 10 changes from last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup tie, with only Luis Diaz retaining a starting berth.

Trent Alexander-Arnold also returned to the matchday squad following an injury.

Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz (Jota, 87), Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo (Nunez, 69) Robertson (Tsimikas, 69), Gravenberch (Alexander-Arnold, 61), Bradley (Jones, 61).

Unused subs: Kelleher, Endo, Elliott, Quansah.

First half

The contest began in even fashion under the Goodison Park lights with both teams vying for early possession.

There was little in the game until Everton opened the scoring in the 11th minute.

Jarrad Branthwaite took a free-kick quickly on the halfway line, his ball releasing Beto in on goal, with the striker taking a touch before placing past the onrushing Alisson Becker.

Liverpool, however, restored parity just five minutes later. Salah gathered the ball on the right flank and curled an inch-perfect cross onto the head of Mac Allister, who ran forward to glance an effort into the bottom corner of the net past Jordan Pickford.

The Reds began to dominate the ball, though neither side were able to create much in the way of chances with the match falling into a stop-start pattern.

Ahead of the interval, substitute Jack Harrison – who had earlier replaced the injured Iliman Ndiaye – delivered from the left, but Beto’s looping header was easily caught.

In response, Diaz saw a low drive blocked at the opposite end, while he was unable to convert a rebound from a Dominik Szoboszlai shot from close range as the Everton defence combined to block.

It was as close as either team would come to getting in front at the break, with five yellow cards brandished between the two teams in the opening period.

Second half

The match carried on in much the same way after the change of ends, though the Blues were the ones who enjoyed two quick chances.

Abdoulaye Doucoure first planted a firm header wide of the post from a cross in from the right, while Harrison threatened with a low shot from a tight angle past the post.

Again, the game went through a spell where neither side could force any sustained pressure in the final third.

That was until Everton had the ball in the back of the net with a little over 20 minutes remaining, though they saw celebrations cut short due to a raised offside flag.

Branthwaite converted from inside the six-yard box at the second phase of a corner kick, however the hosts were beyond the last man following the initial header in the area.

Doucoure again threatened as he shot over from outside the box, but it was Liverpool who would edge in front via Salah in minute 73.

A quick move forward saw substitute Curtis Jones’ curling shot from inside the box headed away from the target and the ball fell immediately into the path of Salah at the back post, with the No.11 taking a swift touch to fire home into the back of the net.

In response, Beto shot low from distance, but his effort was tame, while Salah saw an inswinging strike from range tipped over by Pickford.

Deep into added time, Everton once again squared the game to claim a point.

Tarkowski fired high into the net from inside the box after a cross found its way to the defender.

Following the full-time whistle, Jones and head coach Slot both received red cards, alongside Liverpool assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff and Everton midfielder Doucoure.