Liverpool; their pride slightly wounded after the 2-7 hammering they received from high-flying Aston Villa; came out with a point to prove; and prove they did as they rampaged into a third-minute lead almost before the dust had settled. Andrew Robertson; in inspired form this season; was again the provider; sending in a teasing cross for Sadio Mane to slam home.
Liverpool were getting the better of it; with Everton seemingly short on movement and confidence; when in the 11th minute another teasing ball into the area from Fabinho saw Jordan Pickford storm into Virgil van Dijk with a rather-clumsy challenge. Fortunately it was given offside but the damage to van Dijk had been done; with the colossal defender having to leave the field for injury.
Everton are made of stern stuff these days; and in the 19th minute; a lovely corner from James Rodriguez on the right was headed in brilliantly by Michael Keane; who has been in good form for Everton and now an ever-present in the side.
In the second half; both sides continued to play good football; with Everton perhaps having the best chance when another teasing curler from Rodriguez found Richarlison who managed to head against the post from close range. Come 72 minutes though; and a poor defensive clearance from Yerry Mina saw the in-form Mohamed Salah rifle in first-time with his left-foot for a cracking finish. In between; there were also fine saves from Pickford to keep out Trent Alexander-Arnold's free-kick & Joel Matip's header.
It looked like Liverpool were gonna win it; but the drama had just begun. With only nine minutes left of this heart-stopping contest; Everton drew level again when a lovely floated cross from Lucas Digne was headed in brilliantly by the in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin; who rose above the smaller Robertson to guide it home.
There was still more drama to come. After a bit of head-tennis in the middle; Richarlison came storming in with a crazy tackle on Thiago Alcantara. Not surprisingly; he was shown the red card despite vain appeals from the Toffee-men. And even more drama seemed to come in injury-time when another clever pull-back from Mane saw Jordan Henderson's shot creep past Pickford's outstretched dive. It looked like Liverpool had won it in dramatic fashion; but alas; the VAR came in to rule it out offside; even though it looked like Mane was on.
When the dust had settled; the spoils were even; Everton remain at the top of a scarcely-believable league table; and Liverpool move up to third.
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