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Mohamed Salah scored twice as Everton were left feeling aggrieved by referee Craig Pawson as Liverpoool won the Merseyside derby 2-0. 

In the 243rd edition of the famous fixture, Everton held their own with 10 men for much of Saturday’s meeting at Anfield before eventually succumbing. 

Ashley Young saw red late in the first half for picking up a second booking, though Liverpool should have been down to 10 themselves just after the hour when Ibrahima Konate – himself on a yellow card – dragged down Everton substitute Beto.

Liverpool made their fortune count, Salah scoring from the penalty spot following Michael Keane’s handball before rounding things off late on to seal the bragging rights for the Reds.

Everton started well as, straight from kick-off, a turnover in possession saw Dwight McNeil’s cross find Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who headed straight at Allison – and perhaps should have done better.

Liverpool swiftly established control without troubling Jordan Pickford’s goal too much, though Young made a wonderful last-ditch block to deny Luis Diaz. 

But in the 37th minute, it was advantage Liverpool as Diaz was brought down just outside the penalty area by Young, with the veteran campaigner receiving his marching orders. 

Everton made two substitutions at half-time, wingers McNeil and Jack Harrison were withdrawn and replaced by Keane and Nathan Patterson.

Liverpool were incredibly fortunate to stay at their full complement of players when Konate blocked Beto, and Jurgen Klopp swiftly replaced the centre-back, acknowledging afterwards that the Reds “got lucky”.

Eventually, Liverpool’s pressure told – Keane recklessly dangling out an arm and inadvertently blocking Diaz’s cross, with Salah converting the resultant spot-kick. 

A late rally from Everton proved fruitless, and a stoppage-time counter-attack was rounded off by Salah as Liverpool wrapped up the points, though Dyche and Co. were right to vent their frustrations with the officiating at full-time. 

Matthew Litherland