This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
December 5, 2019, marked a significant day in the Premier League as Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table with a resounding 5-2 win over Everton in a highly entertaining Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri, who replaced the rested Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, put Liverpool 2-0 up inside 17 minutes, with all but one of the goals coming before half-time.
Michael Keane pulled a goal back for Everton, but Origi got his second and Sadio Mane finished off a blistering counter-attack to make it 4-1. Richarlison cut the deficit once more, but Georginio Wijnaldum hammered the final nail in the Everton coffin a minute from time.
"All the goals were incredible," said a delighted Jurgen Klopp, who made five changes in total. "Wonderful goals, sensational passes, super pieces of football. I loved it a lot."
Despite the massive points difference between the sides at either end of the table, Klopp insisted that this fixture remained the "standout" one in Liverpool's season.
Shaqiri, making his first start of the season, showed no signs of rustiness in front of goal by finishing off another Mane assist on his trusty left foot. "My biggest dream is to win the title with this club and give it to the fans," said the Swiss midfielder.
However, the match was not without its controversies, as Everton manager Marco Silva faced growing calls for him to be fired. "I am not the right person to answer about the situation, this question is for different people," said Silva. "The type of mistakes we are making is because the players are playing under big pressure because of the position in the table. They are making some mistakes that are not normal for the level we are."
