In what could have been an easy win for Liverpool against their arch nemesis Everton, but they squandered the chance of going level on points with Chelsea – who are sitting 3rd on the Premier League log.
It was always going to be a one-sided affair and the Reds indeed dominated the entirety of the game. But with those incisive passes missing, Everton were hardly troubled. The game started off brilliantly for the Reds and it was Mo Salah who gave Liverpool an important lead. Everton somehow managed to hold Liverpool, but as the game progressed towards the final minutes of the first half, Salah produced the moment of magic with a precise left-footed finish.
The Egyptian had at least two defenders marking him tight on the right-hand side of the penalty area, but after skipping past Cuco Martina and another Everton defender, Salah managed to get a shot in and how accurate was that. Certainly not the first time he has done that this season but a goal in a Derby is always a special one; ask the Egyptian about it.
As the game progressed, Liverpool gained the momentum but Everton were able to cope with the pressure; or maybe, Liverpool weren’t precise enough. Whatever the case may be, this hurt them big time. A quick counter in the second-half saw Wayne Rooney deliver his trademark long-ball into the area with Dominic Calvert-Lewin waiting for the delivery. Dejan Lovren, not surprisingly, pushed the young Evertonian into the area and bang! A penalty for Everton.
Lovren protested against the decision, but the referee made up his mind and Wayne Rooney capitalised. Everton were back on level terms. Liverpool enjoyed 79% of possession, managed 23 shots, but only three came on target. Lovren, on his part, yet again became the culprit, or maybe… Just maybe he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Whatever may be the case, the Croatian cost Liverpool the points.
Liverpool fans, in particular, were left furious with the Croatian and this is how they reacted:
This is Dejan Lovren and he’s a professional footballer earning £100,000 a week.
Anything is possible people! pic.twitter.com/FLrjQVBvof
— Football Facts (@FootbalIFact) December 10, 2017
Mane should have passed it, Lovren should just quit football and work on a farm and Klopp needs a head scan.
— @rinit31 (@rinit31) December 10, 2017
Klopp deserved that for his blind faith in Lovren. Every single football fan in the world can see that he’s not good enough, apart from Klopp.
— LFC News (@LFCTransferNRS) December 10, 2017
FACT: Three certainties in life:
1️⃣ Death
2️⃣ Taxes
3️⃣ Dejan Lovren Defensive Error pic.twitter.com/NoCUTmjm9B— Football Tweets (@FutballTweets) December 10, 2017
Lovren had nowhere to go in that situation. He didn’t even initiate contact. I watched the reply multiple times. NEVER a penalty.
— Kaiser Von Der KOP (@andrewkendall16) December 10, 2017
Don’t just blame Klopp & Lovren because I’m so angry with Mane for his selfishness in front of goal b4 half time, if that was Firmino he would have passed, end of! Poor team selection, poor display from Henderson & Solanke offered nothing!
— Joe Gorman (@joegorman42) December 10, 2017
Also, I’d like to just say this:
21 DAYS TO GO, 21 DAYS ‘TIL LOVREN LEAVES THE STARTING XI
— James™ (@40YardGerrard) December 10, 2017
Dejan Lovren has ruined more weekends than overtime.
— Paul Williams (@DonPaulioni1987) December 10, 2017
Lovren pulled the self destruct button after few decent games
— Boss (@ola19_official) December 10, 2017
As soon as clyne is fit lovren has to be dropped
— dont do that (@RobbieNardone) December 10, 2017
Lovren
The gift that keeps giving#ThankYou— Toffee (@Toffee1995) December 10, 2017
Easy to blame Klopp for team selection but Mané not passing for an open goal in a four on one situation has cost us there, along with a stupid shove by Lovren. Two costly individual errors is all.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) December 10, 2017
Genuinely hate blaming players for their mistakes but Lovren….what is going through your skull lad
— ReeceSmith (@ReeeceeSmith) December 10, 2017
Drop Lovren put Gomez as CB – Shocking defending ! #knobhead
— Inderpal Chana (@Indianachana) December 10, 2017
I would be the last person to defend Lovren however its not a mistake, its never a penalty, ref is an arse for thinking that.
— Nader (@Theman_Can) December 10, 2017
Another day another lovren error!!!!
— Dream chaser (@HORLAWHEEZY) December 10, 2017
Lovren has ruined Christmas for me and my family
— Jason Coyle (@Jase_5) December 10, 2017
Hendo has Klopp’s nudes. Don’t understand how Klopp persists with hendo and lovren. Both of them are absolutely horrendous.#LIVEVE
— Maurya tej (@Mauryatej1) December 10, 2017
