Will the Everton aftermath derail Liverpool's title hopes?

Will the Everton aftermath derail Liverpool's title hopes?

Pulse Sports Team 00:30 - 20.02.2025

Click here to learn whether the drama at the Everton game did anything for Liverpool’s title hopes.

If you love a bit of drama, the Liverpool vs Everton game on the 12th of February would have been one to watch. Ending in a dramatic 2-2 draw that saw a red card for Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucouré after an on-pitch brawl, neither side was happy with the outcome of the game.

And we're at a critical point in the season. It's the type of game you don't need to happen. Still, it definitely was one of the more entertaining ones to watch, and if you put bets on 10bet Sports Betting in South Africa, you probably didn't bet on it ending with a double red card and a draw—the odds on that one probably would have been great.

So, will the Everton drama aftermath derail Liverpool's title hopes? Read on to find out.

A Crucial Slip or Just a Minor Bump?

Liverpool came to the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park with a chance to grow their lead at the top of the Premier League. Anyone who watched the game will know it didn't turn out that way.

Liverpool had to settle for a sensational 2-2 draw in which James Tarkowski roofed an injury time brace to steal one precious point. But for Liverpool and Everton fans, the point doesn't matter.

Would we go as far as to say it derailed their chances of winning the Premier League, probably not. A few more performances like that and we'd say definitely, yes! Still, even with the draw, they're 7 points ahead of the trailing Arsenal.

The Psychological Blow of Dropped Points

Liverpool has the strongest claim to the Premier League title, we wouldn't say there's been too much of a psychological blow thanks to the dropped points. If anything, we'd say it'll have the opposite effect. There will be more momentum at Anfield to try to keep the lead.

They have dominated and easily defeated teams with little effort. The Everton draw, though, might have knocked them a little.

Liverpool's Struggles at Goodison Park

Liverpool did not have great expectations for the derby. Goodison Park has not been the best place for them, winning only four out of 16 matches there. With David Moyes' Everton riding high on confidence, it was never going to be a stroll in the park. Liverpool took the lead, but as is customary in this fixture, they ended up losing and being overwhelmed by the emotions and energy.

The scrap was one of the most heated we've seen all season in the Premier League.

Arne Slot's Response and the Impact on Team Morale

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot didn't do too well in the match, either. He also received a red card for, let's say, expressing himself.

He highlighted the fight from his players in what is viewed as a hostile setting. But his red card doesn't really matter. We're sure he'll have something to say about the Curtis Jones Red cards. It doesn't help Liverpool's midfield problem, which is already pretty serious because of injuries.

Arsenal and Manchester City Sensing an Opportunity

Arsenal's inspiration from the match result is credible because they trail Liverpool. A gap that could've been extended to nine points still stays handleable. The current form of Mikel Arteta's team suggests they are not likely going to lose many points to out-of-form teams, so every game for Liverpool is a must-bag from this point onwards. Only 7 points away with a game still to play isn't too far off the number-one spot for Arsenal.

Manchester City will always back themselves to take advantage if and when Liverpool falters.

No Room for Further Mistakes

Despite being on top, the last fourteen games will be particularly tough for Slot's team. Do we think that one game makes a difference? Probably not, but it might set the wheels in motion for the next games. It'll be interesting to see how they perform in the next game or two and whether they can keep their lead.

With a rigorous schedule, squad management will be essential against Villa and Manchester City. Still, Slot's side have been outperforming everyone this season.

The points dropped against Everton were disappointing, but not too much to bear. Liverpool needs to fight as if every match is the last, as any slippage at this point would be detrimental. The games they've got coming up aren't exactly easy, so it's not like Liverpool are guaranteed to stay ahead. Maybe they needed those two points from the Everton clash after all.