EPL: Everton fight back to hold Liverpool as late VAR offside denies champions winner

Everton came from behind twice to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League in a Merseyside derby thriller as Liverpool were denied a stoppage-time winner by the video assistant referee.

Everton, who had won their previous seven games in all competitions, equalised swiftly at Goodison Park when Michael Keane headed in a corner from the outstanding James Rodriguez.

Liverpool, with Thiago Alcantara at the heart of everything, were back in front with 18 minutes left when Mohamed Salah volleyed in Yerry Mina’s poor clearance to set up a frantic finale, with only Pickford’s magnificent save from Joel Matip’s header keeping Everton in the hunt.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s towering header restored parity with nine minutes left but Everton were then reduced to 10 men when Richarlison was sent off for a wild challenge on Thiago.

Liverpool thought they had won it in stoppage time when Pickford could not keep out Jordan Henderson’s shot – but in a finish to match the chaotic nature of the game, Mane was adjudged to be offside after a lengthy wait for the VAR decision.

Pickford the central figure again

Everton and England keeper Pickford has been unable to stay out of the headlines this season as the spotlight has fallen on his faltering form – and he was the central figure in this eventful Merseyside derby.

When Everton were 1-0 down, he somehow escaped a red card for a challenge on Van Dijk that was dangerous enough to force Liverpool’s defender off, with the Dutchman looking in much discomfort as he made his way around the pitch.

He was then in more traditional action as he made a fine save from Trent-Alexander Arnold’s free-kick and then – with Liverpool no doubt feeling he should not even be on the pitch – he made a world-class save diving away to his right to keep out Matip’s header when it looked a certain goal with the score 2-1 in favour of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Even then his afternoon was not over as he scrambled back in vain after failing to hold Henderson’s shot – the relief clear when VAR ruled out the goal.

Everton may still not have beaten their great rivals in a decade but Carlo Ancelotti’s side will take great comfort from the manner in which they fought back twice and while Liverpool were the more consistent threat, there is a serious menace about this team that was not present last season.

Thiago brings class to the chaos

Liverpool’s Thiago and Everton’s Rodriguez sailed serenely above the chaos in this match, showing the time and class that simply did not seem to be available to others.

In Thiago, Liverpool have added a midfield controller to the side that won the Premier League at a canter last season.

He was composed and some of his picked passes were of the highest standard, looking an absolute snip at £20m from Bayern Munich.

Salah’s unforgiving finishing was on show once again, scoring his 100th goal for the club, and Liverpool will feel disappointed they could not close out the victory after leading so late on.

They mounted an expected recovery from that 7-2 thrashing at Aston Villa but they have now dropped five points in their past two away games and – even allowing for Van Dijk’s early injury – do not look as impregnable as they did last season.

Klopp will hope Van Dijk’s injury is not serious as, perhaps helped by the manner in which Leeds United troubled Liverpool on the opening weekend and that humiliation at Villa, there is a belief in opponents that they can be got at.

‘We were dominant against a flying side’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Match of the Day: “Performance-wise very, very happy. Best away game we’ve played here since I started managing. We gave away two goals on set-pieces after changing formation.

“We were dominant against a flying side. Different things happened today. This type of offside I didn’t see in the Virgil and Pickford incident.

On the Henderson ruled-out goal: “I don’t know where the line is where you can do offside.

“Yes, we should have won this game. The boys played a super game. against a side with quality and confidence. Dominating from the first second is absolutely exceptional.”

Everton goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin: “As you’d expect in derbies, got tackles flying in 50-50, so there’s always a chance the ref might bring out a yellow or red.

“Disappointed we didn’t kick on at 1-1. We knew we would have spells where we wouldn’t have the ball. I managed to put one away but I genuinely thought it would be coming [the win], but it wasn’t to be.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t win the game. In that respect it was frustrating. In terms of the bigger picture, it’s a point and we’ll take it.”

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