Liverpool’s title challenge suffers set back at Goodison Park

The cycle of misery that has held Everton in its icy grip for so long was released on a night of passion and fury at Goodison Park that may have applied the final blow to Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge.

If a first Merseyside derby home win since October 2010 was not enough reason for celebration by Everton, their 2-0 triumph came with what they will regard as the glorious bonus of inflicting potentially irreparable damage to Liverpool.

This much was clear as the famous old stadium echoed to the taunts of “You Lost The League At Goodison Park” as a leggy, lack-lustre Liverpool banged their heads on the brick wall that was Everton’s defence and outstanding goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

It was 29 years to the night since what is widely regarded as the most famous evening in Goodison Park’s history when Bayern Munich were overpowered in the European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final.

This win, of course, does not even touch that significance but this will be a night Everton fans will remember for a long time and Liverpool will want to forget and if they do forget they will a lot of royal blue persuasion happy to remind them.

Everton flew at Liverpool from the first whistle, roared on in an atmosphere that might just be impossible to replicate when they leave this stadium.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had chances after Jarrad Branthwaite’s 27th-minute opener and following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s headerto make it 2-0 just before the hour, especially when Luis Diaz struck an upright. But there was no coming back.

Klopp’s down beat demeanour in his post-match media briefing told the story after his first derby defeat at Goodison Park. He was certainly not throwing the towel in, and rightly so, but he wore the look of someone who knew the game may well be up.

Liverpool are still only three points behind leaders Arsenal but their form is going into reverse and the Gunners’ goal difference is so superior it is effectively worth another point.

Amid the joyous scenes at the final whistle, there is every chance Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola may also have been allowing themselves a smile.