American businessmen and new Liverpool owners John W. Henry and Tom Werner had to watch their new team struggle against their local rivals and start their reign with the Reds on the losing side and in the relegation zone, 19th position behind Wolves on goal difference.
Everton started with clear intentions and dominated the first half in possession and chances. Tim Cahill gave his side the deserved lead in the 34th minute with a fine right-footed turn-curl shot off a Seamus Coleman cross into the box, a solid strike over and past Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, giving Liverpool a lot to do and a lot to think and work on at half time.
It didn't take long though for things to get even worse for the Reds. Mikel Arteta's strike off a Laighton Baines corner, curled right past Reina from just outside the box after Sotirios Kyrgiakos headed the Everton corner back leaving Arteta with too much space and no cover.Replays showed the Everton forward Ayegbeni Yakubu in an offside position, not involved in play but possibly and seemingly blocking Reina's view of the ball. It would have been harsh not to give the goal though.
This controversial setback seemed to finally get Liverpool going, pushing Everton back more, enjoying more possession and giving Tim Howard more to chew on than before. But it wasn't meant to be, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard drawing frustrated pictures of themselves, falling over and losing the ball or putting it out wide and high more than too often.
Roy Hodgson's late changes saw a little if some effect. Ryan Babel and Milan Jovanovic both caught Howard and his defenders out late on, but were not able to turn their advantages into the net and into goals.
The last mintues were tense but the home side held through - Jermaine Beckford walking on thin ice the last few minutes with some ill indiscipline, could have nicked another goal in to make it three but lost out to Reina in the end.David Moyes and his side definitely ended up the happier though with two goals and three points in the bag, showing Liverpool that change takes time, a long time.
Hodgson, Henry and Werner must have gathered and should know by now that it is going to be a long road to walk on this season, that's for sure. Don't do anything hasty and stupid now, work and walk on.
Everton: Howard; Baines, Heitinga (Hibbert 72), Jagielka, Distin; Neville, Coleman, Arteta (goal 50; Beckford 74, booked 76), Cahill (booked 29, goal 34); Osman (Bilyaletdinov 46), Yakubu.
Subs not used: Mucha, Shokdran Mustafi, Magaye Gueye, Baxter.
Liverpool: Reina; Konchesky, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Skrtel; Raul Meireles (booked 31), Gerrard, Cole (Babel 80), Maxi (booked 19, Jovanovic 85), Lucas (Ngog 71); Torres (booked 88).
Subs not used: Jones, Aurelio, Kelly, Spearing.
Everton-Liverpool 1st half stats:
Attempts: 5-2
On target: 3-1
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 5-2
Free kicks: 6-7
Possession: 54%-46%
Everton-Liverpool 2nd half stats:
Attempts: 3-8
On target: 1-6
Offsides: 0-0
Corners: 3-5
Free kicks: 3-3
Possesion: 44%-56%
Sky Sports stats:
Everton-Liverpool Passing Success: 67.9%-84.3
Tackles/Success: 29/72.4%-24/62.5%
Action Areas: Everton 10%-41%-49% Liverpool (first 10 minutes)
Territorial Advantage: 48.9%-51.1%
Referee: Howard Webb
Man of the match: Tim Cahill
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