CHENNAI, India — Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute strike gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on April 2, 2025. The win propelled Liverpool to a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League, edging them closer to the title.
The match was marred by controversy, particularly surrounding Jota’s goal, which was created by an offside position from teammate Luis Diaz. Everton’s James Tarkowski attempted to play the ball before it reached Diaz, a call that allowed the goal to stand according to current offside rules.
“A great goal and nice to see that, according to the rules, it was a goal so no one can complain about that,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, acknowledging the contentious nature of the goal.
Everton had a chance to lead early on. In the 20th minute, they had a goal ruled offside, as the player was just ahead of the defense. Moments later, Everton struck the post in what could have been the game’s opening goal.
However, after constant pressure and a series of near-misses, it was Jota who broke the deadlock. The Portuguese forward, who had been struggling with a goalless streak, evaded multiple challenges before striking the ball past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
“Massive, of course,” Jota said after the match, discussing the importance of the goal, not only for himself but also for the team as they move into the final stretch of the season. “Hopefully that gives us momentum,” he added.
The match featured a total of 17 shots by Liverpool compared to Everton’s five, showcasing Liverpool’s dominance on their home ground. Curtis Jones also stood out, completing 68 of his 73 passes and contributing significantly to both defense and attack.
Everton boss David Moyes expressed disappointment over the officiating, especially regarding Jota’s goal. “I can’t understand any reason why that wouldn’t have been given [offside],” Moyes stated, challenging the decision when asked by Sky Sports.
The physicality of the match was evident, and Moyes highlighted a controversial challenge by Tarkowski on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, which resulted in only a yellow card. “My first thought was that it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game,” Moyes remarked, acknowledging the difficulty of officiating in such encounters.
Despite the defeat, Moyes praised his side’s resilience, stating, “they’re very difficult to play against,” and lauded the efforts of his players to disrupt Liverpool’s flow. However, Everton’s away record against Liverpool remains bleak, with this loss marking only one win in their last 26 Premier League visits to Anfield.
The contentious atmosphere was heightened when Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk reacted to the physical nature of the derby, emphasizing that such matches are always challenging. “The games we have played against each other over the years have always been tough,” he acknowledged.
With the win, Liverpool appears poised to claim the Premier League title, while Everton faces a critical game against Arsenal on Saturday, as they strive to secure crucial points in their fight to rise up the league table.
