Liverpool vs. Everton: A Salah deal and a VAR favor for the Reds

The Merseyside derby was a VAR favor for Liverpool against City rivals, Everton today, at least if consistency is to be checked on.

The fixture went on as predictable as anyone that has watched the Merseyside derby for the last decade would imagine. A Liverpool domination against a low block Sean Dyche side who were rather comfortable sitting at the back and absorbing whatever Liverpool threw at them.

And of course, Liverpool did throw stuffs at them, and indeed, Everton proved a match to overcome whatever came their way. Blocks were made, long range shoots were cleared off their goal, and when it mattered, goalie, Jordan Pickford made one or two saves to keep Liverpool searching for a first goal on return from the international break.

The first half despite Liverpool’s dominance, was a frustration for the Reds, and even much worse for their Merseyside counterpart who had their man, Ashley Young found wanting of a second yellow.

As it has always been with VAR calls, there were debates about Referee, Craig Pawson’s decision to have the Everton man sent off in the 37th minute of first half play.

However, the controversy wasn’t until the second half when Liverpool defender, Ibrahima Konate also escaped a second yellow after a foul to deny a goal scoring chance for Everton.

Liverpool lived through the rigid Everton defence that could have very well taken the game and were of course comfortable with seeing out a goalless draw at Anfield, but the game was fated to end like it always did.

The Toffees were found wanting of a handball in the penalty box, thanks to second half substitute, Michael Keane handling the ball in his box to gift the Reds a penalty they had chanted for since the kickoff whistle was blown.

Mohamed Salah as usual, was able to convert from the spot, and was also on hand to finish off a Darwin Nunez chance to gift the Reds a 2-0 victory.

A return to winning ways for Liverpool after 2 games without a positive result, and for Everton, a return to losing ways, with all frustrations being on VAR.

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