Liverpool's quest for an historic quadruple remains very much on after they beat Everton 2-0 in a hard-fought Merseyside Derby.
Andy Robertson and Divock Origi got the hosts' goals. However, for much of the game it was hard work for the title-chasers after a determined defensive display from their struggling opponents.
After a quiet opening first half, mostly notable for a yellow card shown to Everton's Anthony Gordon for simulation, Liverpool attempted to turn their dominance in possession into goals. However, faced by a deep back-line from Frank Lampard's side, clear-cut chances were hard to come by.
The hosts opened up at the start of the second half, and this allowed Everton to find gaps in behind. Gordon had a penalty appeal waved away after a challenge with Joel Matip, and the youngster remained one of the bigger dangers in an attack shorn of the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Klopp blinked before Lampard as far as substitutions were concerned, introducing Divock Origi and Luis Diaz around the hour mark. It didn't take long for the changes to pay dividends, with Origi playing a part in the move that saw Andy Robertson put the Reds ahead and Diaz threatening to add a quickfire second.
Mason Holgate headed off the line as Liverpool looked to add to their lead, and Origi himself finally added a second. It leaves Liverpool just a point off top spot, while Everton's relegation worries are very real.
1. Liverpool turn to Origi again
Back in the 2018-19 season, Liverpool needed a late, late intervention from Divock Origi to break Everton's resistance. This time, with the visitors similarly stubborn at the back, Jurgen Klopp turned to the Belgian once more.
Origi didn't break the deadlock this time, but he played a big part in the move when teammate Robertson headed home. It was his link-up play which created space for Mohamed Salah, and the Egypt forward's cross was turned beyond Jordan Pickford by Robertson.
He wasn't done there, though. Six minutes from time, as Diaz's acrobatic effort flashed across the face of goal, Origi reacted quickest to head home a victory-clinching goal.
The 27-year-old is expected to leave Liverpool at the end of the season when his contract expires. While he's rarely been a first team regular, Klopp's willingness to call on him in big moments gives a good idea of how many fans will remember his time at Anfield.
2. Alisson proved right
After Liverpool got past Benfica in the Champions League, with centre-back Ibrahima Konate among the goals, goalkeeper Alisson praised the variety of goal threat within the squad. "Everyone can score in the team, that is good for us and we keep on going and get ready for the next one," the Brazil international said.
Alisson was even among the goals himself last season, heading home a last-gasp winner against West Bromwich Albion, but this time it was left-back Robertson who came up trumps. The goal was the Scot's second of the season, and he is one of more than 15 different scorers for Klopp's team in the league alone.
Overreliance on a single goal threat can be a problem for teams at the business end of the campaign. Despite boasting the league's highest scorer in Salah, this isn't an issue for the Reds.
3. Jota unconvincing on the left
Diogo Jota has done some of his best Liverpool work playing through the middle, but alternated with Sadio Mane in the early goings. While attacking fluidity was always going to be important against opponents keen to sit deep, the Portugal forward looked uncharacteristically blunted in the opening period.
Klopp may have already been planning on using Luis Diaz on that flank against Villarreal during the week, and events at Anfield only give more ammunition to that idea. When Jota was withdrawn for Jordan Henderson late on, he could have few complaints.
Liverpool's manager will already know he needs to use his full squad in the coming weeks if the quadruple dream is to be realised. Perhaps some time out for Jota, ensuring he enters the field ready to prove a point, is the answer against Villarreal.
4. Everton's defensive issues continue
Everton were already without Yerry Mina for the game at Anfield, and were dealt a further blow when Ben Godfrey suffered an injury in the warm-up. In came Michael Keane at short notice,
That increased the pressure on Allan, the visitors' deepest-lying midfielder, and he did an impressive job shielding the back four in the first half. So impressive, indeed, that Keane's task was made far easier than it might have been.
Keane had a nervy moment in the second half when his challenge on Origi brought a penalty appeal, though the claims fell on deaf ears. The bigger concern might come in the next few weeks, though, with Frank Lampard left with little room to make changes at the back.
5. Relegation battle very much alive
Burnley's earlier victory over Wolves helped remind Everton of the size of their task, not that they needed it. Matej Vydra's goal at Turf Moor sent Lampard's team into the bottom three before they kicked off at Anfield, and every game - not just this one - will be significant.
Everton put in the kind of performance their manager will have wanted for the first hour, digging deep to keep their rivals at bay and even creating chances of their own. However, unfortunately for them, they were up against title contenders who were able to find an extra gear.
Lampard's men return to action against Chelsea next weekend. With Burnley up against Watford one day earlier, they may be even further adrift by the time they kick off.
