Curtis Jones scored a wonder goal as a youthful Liverpool side beat arch rivals Everton 1-0 in their FA Cup third round tie at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp picked a young side despite facing Everton, and they delivered a fine performance despite losing captain James Milner to an early injury inside ten minutes as Everton extended their miserable winless run at Anfield.
Everton ejoyed the better chances in the first half but Liverpool's second half display was brilliant considering the young age of the side, with the Toffees not able to get a shot in on target in the second 45 minutes.
Jones epitomised the confidence and swagger from the majority of the young Liverpool stars, and the winner he produced was a moment of quality that would have graced any team in any game.
After almost playing in Divock Origi, Jones got the ball back on the left hand side of the box and unleashed a wonderful curler that beat a flying Jordan Pickford all ends up as it nestled into the top corner.
There were fine performances all around the pitch for Liverpool despite the tender age of most of the, with right back Neco Williams looking very much in the Trent Alexander-Arnold mould, centre back Nathaniel Phillips slotting in nicely at centre back, Pedro Chirivella controlling the tempo in midfield and 16-year-old Harvey Elliott quietly confident.
Even debutant Takumi Minamino looked lively as Klopp can seemingly do no wrong at the moment, in sharp contrast to the state of things across Stanley Park at Everton, with Carlo Ancelotti having plenty to think about.
The Italian will have found out a few things about some of his players, not entirely good things, as they made plenty of first half chances but were outplayed in the second half by the young Liverpool side.
It was men against boys at Anfield but the boys came out well and truly on top.
Match highlights
Liverpool 1-0 Everton Opta stats
- Liverpool remain unbeaten in their last 23 home games against Everton in all competitions (W13 D10); they have beaten the Toffees twice at Anfield in the same season for the first time since the 1986-87 campaign.
- Everton have never won away to Liverpool in the FA Cup in six attempts (D4 L2).
- Liverpool have progressed from the FA Cup third round in eight of their last nine seasons, failing only in 2018-19 after a 2-1 defeat at Wolves.
- Everton have been eliminated from the FA Cup third round in four of the last six campaigns, as many as their previous 20 seasons beforehand.
- Liverpool have won 23 of their last 25 home games in all competitions (D2), keeping a clean sheet in each of their last five matches at Anfield.
- Aged 18 years and 340 days, Curtis Jones became Liverpool's youngest goalscorer in a Merseyside derby since Robbie Fowler (18y 338d) in the Premier League in March 1994.
- Liverpool forward Divock Origi has been directly involved in six goals in his five home Merseyside derby appearances against Everton, scoring five and assisting Curtis Jones’ winner today.
- Liverpool named three teenagers in their starting XI for a Merseyside derby (Elliott, Williams, Jones) for the first time since October 2012 (Sterling, Suso, Wisdom), a 2-2 draw in the Premier League at Goodison Park under Brendan Rodgers. Indeed, the Reds hadn’t started a single teenager in any of their previous 10 meetings with Everton in all competitions before today.
⌚ FT LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
That's it, it was men against boys but the boys won and what a way to win it with Curtis Jones scoring a wonder goal to keep that long run of Anfield misery going for arch rivals Everton. When will that runend!
🙆♂️ 90' CHANCE!
Moise Kean has a chance eight yards out after a decent ball in from the right, but it's at an awkward height and he can't keep his volley down to threaten Adrian's goal.
🏃♂️ 88' A SHIFT
Adam Lallana may be nearing the end of his Liverpool days, but he's still hunting and chasing down everything entering the closing stages. It's what they call a proper shift in the football world.
🙏 86' GETTING LATE
Everton desperately trying to force the issue now and Liverpool have to hustle to defend a deep free kick with plenty of big men in blue up there.
🐂 81' OX SHOT
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks like a man making up for lost time as he's everywhere since coming on, and he has a go at striking from long distance but it's right into Pickford's bread basket.
☁ 79' HIGH OVER
Everton waste another chance, not a great one but a decent one from the edge of the box after a corner butit's blazed over.
⚽ GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 EVERTON
From nowhere, Curtis Jones collects the ball 25 yards out on the left edge of the box and fires in a wonderful curler that goes right into the top corner, we're talking the joint of post and bar, to beat Pickford and put the Reds ahead. Wonderful strike.
💥 WHAT A GOAL!
Curtis Jones has just raised the roof at Anfield...
🧤 70' POT SHOT
There's no emoji for pot shot, so the gloves represent Pickford having to be watchful and turn aside Origi's shot from distance. Everything Origi does against Everton has to be respected by the keeper.
🔃 63' CARLO GOING FOR IT
Delph and Kean come on for Everton as Ancelotti looks for a goal. Kean goes up top with Calvert-Lewin with Richarlison and Walcott out wide, plenty of goal threat in blue now. Sigurdsson won't be too pleased with his afternoon's work against a makeshift Liverpool midfield.
🔴 61' REDS GROWING
For the first time in the game Liverpool are on top and have pinned Everton back in their own third for the last couple of minutes. Still not a lot of goal threat though and you wonder if Klopp will make changes up top to try and break this deadlock. He will NOT want a replay.
🏃♀️ 57' HIGH PRESS
Liverpool chasing down and get the ball off Mina but Everton then break as Coleman wins it back and the hosts need Chirivella to come back with a nice saving tackle.
💥 52' STINGS THE PALMS
Neco Williams comes driving forward from right back and hits s tinging low drive that PIckofrd needs two goes to gather at his near post. Where do they find these right backs from?
⚡ 47' EARLY CHANCE
We're underway in the second half and almost immediately it's business as usual as Everton attack and have a shot just flash over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
⌚ HT LIVERPOOL 0-0 EVERTON
A good half of football there with Liverpool enjoying a lot of possession but Everton having by far the best chances. Interesting second half coming up.
🙆♂️ 45' SHOULD DO BETTER
Richarlison has yet another chance for Everton but he can't get a shot in when Williams did well to hold him up, the cross comes back in and a flick by Phillips just takes it off Calvert-Lewin's head.
🙌 41' WHAT A SAVE!
Divock Origi almost did it again against Everton as he dances about in the box before firing a low shot into the corner only for a Jordan Pickford hand to come from nowhere to palm it around the post. Great save.
🧤 37' FLAPPED
Adrian comes for a corner but is nowhere near it as Mina just gets a flick that takes it over the keeper, but it sails wide. Everton have had by far the better chances so far.
💥 31' CHANCE
And it's Liverpool's best chance of the game as Minamino, who almost got in behind a second ago, is on the end of an Origi cross but can't quite connect properly when a solid header would have gone in from so close.
🙆♂️ 27' SHOULD SCORE!
Everton should score again as Walcott's pull back finds the arriving Richarlison coming in off the left, but it's right at Adrian's feet and he's able to kick it away.
👌 25' KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
A few Liverpool youngsters just starting to settle and play some nice stuff. Minamino looks enterprising as well but although there's some decent touches around the Everton box there's no shot on goal yet.
🏃♀️ 23' THEO CAUSING PROBLEMS
Walcott's operating in a central position and is making some fine late bursts through which Liverpool are struggling to keep a lid on.
💥 THWACK!
😍 18' WHAT A BALL
They love a full-back at Anfield and Neco Williams looks another smart one judging but his peach of a ball in from the right, it's just too good for everyone though, including Liverpool's attackers.
🙆♂️ 13' SHOULD SCORE
Mason Holgate is unmarked from a free kick and really should score with a header from point-blank range, but Adrian is able to save his effort. All the Liverpool changes have led to some lapses at the back already.
🚑 9' MILNER DOWN AND OUT
Probably one game too many for veteran James Milner as he's forced off in yet another injury blow for Liverpool. It's a huge blow not just for this game as the captain but also for the Reds going forward. Another youngster Yasser Larouci is coming on at left back.
🙆♂️ 7' GREAT CHANCE!
Theo Walcott bursts through the centre but Adrian pulls off a smart save from a powerful effort on goal from Calvert-Lewin, before the follow-up from Sidebe is blocked.
💥 4' ALL ENERGY
As you'd expect there's plenty of energy to start with and Liverpool's young stars look to get a foot on the ball.
⌚ WE'RE OFF!
Kick-off at Anfield and with a lot more Everton fans in than a league game it's cracking atmosphere!
📝 TEAM NEWS
Plenty of changes for the Reds..
📝 TEAM NEWS
Toffees chasing rare win...
🔢 MATCH ODDS
- Match odds: Evens | 13/5 | 11/5
- Anytime scorers: Dominic Calvert-Lewin 7/5 | Divock Origi 2/1
- Price Boost: Takumi Minamino to score and Liverpool to win 5/1
🔁 REDS SET FOR CHANGES
The Reds may have a 13-point lead at the Premier League summit but Klopp insists his choices are limited after suffering six first-team injuries ahead of the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool have already played in 32 games this season including journeys to Turkey and Qatar for the European Super Cup and Club World Cup respectively, and the majority of his first-choice starting XI has lined up for the majority of those.
"People have told me already a couple of times I wouldn't respect the cup competitions but that is not true," said Klopp.
"But my first job is to respect the players, my absolutely number one job. I see them every day, every second, I see them all the time and I have to make a decision is it allowed to bring them again or not?
"We will try to bring in a team who is capable of doing the physical stuff in that game."
🤔 KLOPP'S OPTIONS
New signing Takumi Minamino looks set to feature in a baptism of fire of a debut.Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho are all trying to get back to fitness and all of them may well have played against Everton if fit - meaning Klopp will have to look to his young players for reinforcements.
Divock Origi and Adam Lallana seem certain to start as senior players, with Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, Neco Williams and Nathaniel Phillips all in contention after being on the bench in recent games against Wolves and Sheffield United.
The major decisions come up front and at centre half, with Klopp having to decide if Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will both have a rest, and if he wants to take both Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk out of the side as his first-choice partnership have little cover behind them.
🥳 PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999?
We all know the poor record Everton have at Anfield by now, but can the Toffees finally taste success on the other side of Stanley Park?
The two grounds for Everton finally ending their Anfield misery come in the shape of Liverpool's team selection and also the introduction of new manager Ancelotti.
Having a coach of his stature already lifts the players and the club in general, but he also holds the key to success against Liverpool.
While Klopp's Reds have proved almost unbeatable against everyone else, Ancelotti's Napoli recorded two wins and a draw in four games against the European and world champions in the last two seasons - could he be Klopp's Kryptonite?
💪 ANCELOTTI UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
"It is a fantastic challenge but also a fantastic opportunity," said Ancelotti. "We are going to play against the best team in this moment, they are world champions so congratulations to them, but this is a fantastic challenge for us.
"Every derby is a special game. I know how different this game is. Of course Liverpool is the favourite, but in a derby you never know what is going on.
"The FA Cup here is completely different to other competitions, different to the Italian Cup for instance. The fact that it is the oldest competition gives it a really special atmosphere. There are a lot of surprises in this competition. It's a really exciting moment, we have confidence to do our best."
📊 The stats
- Liverpool and Everton have met in the FA Cup 24 times previously, making it the most played match in the history of the competition.
- Everton have played five away matches against Liverpool in the FA Cup – four have been drawn and gone to replays, though the most recent match in January 2018 was won 2-1 by the Reds.
- Liverpool have lost each of their last two FA Cup matches, losing to West Brom in January 2018 and Wolves in January 2019 – they haven’t lost three in a row in the competition since January 1954.
- Everton have been eliminated in the FA Cup third round in three of the last five seasons, having been eliminated at this stage in just three of the previous 16 before that.
- Liverpool striker Divock Origi has scored in all four of his home matches against Everton in all competitions, including a brace in their 5-2 Premier League win in December 2019.
📽 LAST MEETING
Liverpool 5-2 Everton | Five-star Reds win Merseyside derby | HighlightsThere were a few changes by Klopp but with Marco Silva nearing the end of his tenure at Everton their team looked a beaten side before a ball was kicked.
The Reds then pulled away to an emphatic victory that helped to quicken the exit for Silva. That man Divock Origi was again a thorn in the side of the Toffees as he scored against them again and Everton will be sick of the sight of the Belgian striker - who looks set to start again in Sunday.
📽 FA CUP CLASSIC
It's one of the best Merseyside derbies and one of the best FA Cup ties we've ever seen as the two sides played out a wonderful 4-4 draw at Goodison Park. Everton won a less entertaining replay 1-0 a week later...
💥 FA CUP HEAD-TO-HEAD
- 25 Jan 1902 Liverpool 2-2 Everton
- 30 Jan 1902 Everton 0-2 Liverpool
- 04 Feb 1905 Liverpool 1-1 Everton
- 08 Feb 1905 Everton 2-1 Liverpool
- 31 Mar 1906 Everton 2-0 Liverpool
- 04 Feb 1911 Everton 2-1 Liverpool
- 09 Jan 1932 Everton 1-2 Liverpool
- 25 Mar 1950 Liverpool 2-0 Everton
- 29 Jan 1955 Everton 0-4 Liverpool
- 11 Mar 1967 Everton 1-0 Liverpool
- 27 Mar 1971 Everton 1-2 Liverpool
- 23 Apr 1977 Everton 2-2 Liverpool
- 27 Apr 1977 Everton 0-3 Liverpool
- 24 Jan 1981 Everton 2-1 Liverpool
- 10 May 1986 Liverpool 3-1 Everton
- 21 Feb 1988 Everton 0-1 Liverpool
- 20 May 1989 Liverpool 3-2 Everton
- 17 Feb 1991 Liverpool 0-0 Everton
- 20 Feb 1991 Everton 4-4 Liverpool
- 27 Feb 1991 Everton 1-0 Liverpool
- 25 Jan 2009 Liverpool 1-1 Everton
- 04 Feb 2009 Everton 1-0 Liverpool
- 14 Apr 2012 Everton 1-2 Liverpool
- 05 Jan 2018 Liverpool 2-1 Everton
👋 WELCOME
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the big FA Cup third round tie between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield.
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