The Kop couldn’t help themselves. As the teams lined up for the start of the second half, a chant emerged from Liverpool supporters saluting Divock Origi, so often the scourge of Everton in derbies.
If indirectly tormenting their Blue brethren packed in the lower Anfield Road Stand, it also acted as a pointed reminder to what the Reds were missing during a toothless first half in which the 17 days since the League Cup final defeat to Newcastle United had shown little sign of easing a Wembley hangover.
But with Origi having long departed Anfield, the baton here was picked up by one of his former team-mates. And, not for the first time in his Liverpool career, Diogo Jota proved the timely game-breaker.
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The Reds were finally building up a head of steam when, shortly before the hour, a pass from Ryan Gravenberch intended for Luis Diaz was intercepted by James Tarkowski’s heavy touch. Jota pounced instantly, swiftly exchanging passes with Diaz and then slaloming beyond two players before sending Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford the wrong way with his finish.
It was a typical Jota finish, reminiscent of his strike that earned 10-man Liverpool a draw at home to Fulham back in December But while a ninth goal of an injury-hampered season for the Portuguese, it was his first as a starter since netting the only goal at Crystal Palace six months earlier, highlighting the travails the Reds have had in the number nine position this season.
While Liverpool will look to address the shortcoming in the transfer window, you wonder what might have happened had Jota been available more often for Arne Slot’s side.
There was a delicious irony that it was Tarkowski at fault for the winner, having been compelled to intervene despite Diaz standing in an offside position.
Having benefited from a VAR equaliser in the dramatic finale to the Goodison derby seven weeks earlier, this time the Everton centre-back was fortunate not to be dismissed early on for a needlessly high follow-through after a tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.
After successive defeats, this was always going to be a huge test of Liverpool’s nerve. It wasn’t pretty – derbies rarely are – but, in the second half in particular, the Reds were the team who wanted it more.
Three down, a maximum of 13 points to go until that 20th title can be celebrated. And, after events at Goodison two months ago, a very real sense of satisfaction at a 100th Merseyside derby triumph.
