Salah scores twice as Liverpool maintains their lead over Everton in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool extended their lead over local rivals Everton to top the Premier League on Saturday, although they had luck on their side as Mohamed Salah’s double secured a 2-0 win at Anfield.
Everton were enraged by referee Craig Pawson’s inconsistencies after Ashley Young was sent off seven minutes before halftime for two bookable offences, while Ibrahima Konate escaped a second card in the second half with the scores still level.
Liverpool worked hard to make their man advantage count, but Salah slammed home from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time after Michael Keane handled.
Darwin Nunez then set up Salah to secure the points seven minutes into stoppage time.
With the win, Jurgen Klopp’s men move ahead of Tottenham and Arsenal at the top of the table on goal difference.
The Reds have only lost one of their past 29 Merseyside derbies and are unbeaten in front of a crowd at Anfield against Everton since 1999.
Salah scores twice as Liverpool maintains their lead over Everton in the Merseyside derby.
There have been no more red cards in Premier League history than clashes between these two, and another sending off proved pivotal.
Everton had vexed the hosts and presented a threat until Young, 38, demonstrated his youth rather than experience by jumping in to chop down Luis Diaz and earn a second yellow card.
Young had previously made a great last-ditch effort to prevent Diaz from scoring a specific goal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early header was too close to Alisson Becker at the other end.
