It took Liverpool 62 minutes to open the scoring in the Merseyside Derby against Everton, with Jurgen Klopp using all his resources to win such an important game at this stage of the season.
Following the Reds’ 2-0 win, ESPN Brasil talked a lot about the way the Toffees played at Anfield. They called it a ‘Libertadores match’ and wondered if Frank Lampard’s side brought an ‘anti-game’ tactic to the pitch.
So as the channel interviewed Alisson after the match, they asked him about that. The goalkeeper agreed that it was not easy to beat their local rivals, pointing out that Everton’s main objective was not to concede any goals.
“At this point in the season, because of what the teams are fighting for, I believe that each match has the character of a final. A moment when neither team wants to make mistakes. Everton came in today with a proposal not to concede goals at all and they did very well within their tactics. We had a lot of merit to keep calm in this mental game,” Alisson told ESPN Brasil.
“In the first half, perhaps, we didn’t use our best weapons. Then, in the second half, we came in with more movement. With a more aggressive attitude, in a good way. With the ball, we made the necessary moves, we worked with crosses, a lot of people inside the box. It’s hard to defend there, even with ten men behind the ball line. It’s hard to defend yourself when the opposing team has that intensity. We managed to do that and we left here with the victory.”
Alisson also brought a few details of Liverpool’s tactics to manage to get into Everton’s box and finally score a couple of goals in the game.
“And also, as I said earlier, our attitude. To have a little more intensity with the ball, to really make the ball move. Not only keep possession of the ball, but be aggressive in movements, fullbacks overlapping inside and out. Moving around, creating some chaos in their defence. There are moments when it’s practically impossible to defend against a team that changes positions so much.
“Everything that was predictable in the game, they were well prepared for. But every time that we made a move that was not what they were expecting, we managed to stand out. And also the substitutions, Divock, Luis also entered the game very well. He’s a guy who worries the opposing defence, of having to hold more, of not tackling up on the pitch. And with that we had open spaces. It’s a credit to our team for having a clear head, for working to find the goals.”
Now as Liverpool keep their hopes of reaching the top of the league table, it’s time for Jurgen Klopp’s side to switch their mindset to the Champions League, as they play Villarreal in the tournament’s semifinal on Wednesday.
Then it’s back to thinking about their Premier League battle with Manchester City. Everton, meanwhile, find themselves in a real relegation battle.
