On Saturday, Liverpool maintained their lead over their neighborhood rivals, Everton, to take first place in the Premier League. They were fortunate, though, as Mohamed Salah’s two goals helped Liverpool win 2-0 at Anfield.
Everton was incensed by referee Craig Pawson’s inconsistent decisions when Ashley Young was dismissed seven minutes before halftime for two bookable offenses and Ibrahima Konate avoided receiving a second caution in the second half while the scores were still tied.
Liverpool struggled to take advantage of their man advantage, but 15 minutes from time, Salah scored from the penalty spot when Michael Keane handled the ball.
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Seven minutes into stoppage time, Darwin Nunez set up Salah to secure the points.
The Reds have only lost one of their previous 29 Merseyside derbies, and they haven’t lost to Everton in front of an audience at Anfield since 1999.
There have been more red cards in a Premier League match than in matches between these two, and one more sending-off was the deciding factor.
Everton had been frustrating the hosts and posing a threat until the 38-year-old Young dived in to chop off Luis Diaz and received a second yellow card, demonstrating more his inexperience than his maturity.
To prevent Diaz from scoring a certain goal in the past, Young made a fantastic last-ditch challenge.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin powered an early header that was too close to Alisson Becker at the other end.
After some of his stars returned after competing for their nations in South American World Cup qualifying, Klopp expressed his frustration at being chosen for the Saturday noon match.
Nunez, who had a standout performance in Uruguay’s 2-0 victory against Brazil in midweek, came off the bench and began with Alexis MacAllister of Argentina and Diaz of Colombia.
Despite having an extra man in the second half, Liverpool were tired.
In order to switch back to a back five, Everton manager Sean Dyche introduced Keane before halftime. To the dismay of the home crowd, the visitors limited Liverpool to few clear chances.
Then, when Konate pulled down Beto after being handed a yellow card, the Toffees were shocked that he was not also given his marching orders.
To add salt to Everton’s wounds, Klopp substituted Joel Matip for the Frenchman right away, and Dyche received a yellow card for escalating his complaints.
Liverpool has seen problems with referees recently after a goal by Diaz in their lone loss of the season at Tottenham last month was incorrectly overturned due to VAR uncertainty.