Liverpool 1-0 Everton: Jota secures local bragging rights and restores leaders' 12-point cushion

Diogo Jota was the hero as Liverpool edged out Everton 1-0 in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.

The forward scored the only goal at Anfield, where the Premier League leaders claimed local bragging rights and restored their 12-point lead at the top of the table.

Everton suffered their first league defeat in 10 games, but had the ball in the net during the first half.

However, Beto was denied by the offside flag in the 20th minute, while he also struck the post after racing through on goal.

Jota delivered the decisive blow in the 57th minute, latching onto Luis Diaz's clever flick before his neat finish secured the Reds’ 100th victory over the Toffees in all competitions.

Arne Slot's side are once again 12 points clear of second-place Arsenal, who had reduced the deficit with their victory over Fulham on Tuesday, while Everton stay 15th.

Data Debrief: Diaz matches Salah as Tarkowski brings up 300

Liverpool claimed local bragging rights following their first 1-0 victory in the Premier League at Anfield since they beat Brentford by that scoreline in May 2023.

Diaz's assist for the winner was one of six chances he created, the most by a Liverpool player against Everton in a Premier League match since Mohamed Salah in December 2017 (also six).

Meanwhile, Everton failed to register a single shot on target in a Premier League game for the first time since Moyes returned for his second spell.

On an individual note, James Tarkowski made his 300th Premier League appearance, with Tottenham's Heung-min Son (301) the only outfield player to appear more times since his debut in August 2016.

The defender escaped with a booking following a late tackle on Alexis Mac Allister in the first half. In doing so, he now has the joint-most yellow cards without ever being sent off in the Premier League (63).