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Liverpool 3-1 Everton: Liverpool strengthen top 4 hopes with Merseyside win

By BBC Sport
Sports News Liverpool 3-1 Everton: Liverpool strengthen top 4 hopes with Merseyside win
APR 1, 2017 LISTEN

Liverpool enhanced their prospects of a top-four place by beating derby rivals Everton, whose own hopes of breaking into the battle for a Champions League qualification spot were severely damaged by the defeat.

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Sadio Mane gave the hosts an early lead when he played a one-two with Roberto Firmino and finished off an angled run with a shot into the far corner.

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A Philippe Coutinho shot was palmed up by Toffees keeper Joel Robles and headed off the line by Phil Jagielka before the visitors equalised.

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Jagielka flicked on a corner at the near post and, after Ashley Williams got a touch, Matthew Pennington arrived to slot in his first Everton goal on his first appearance of the season.

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However, the lead lasted just two minutes and 57 seconds before Coutinho beat two players and curled a shot into the top corner, and he then set up substitute Divock Origi – on for the injured Mane – to power in Liverpool’s third.

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The result put the Reds seven points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United – who have three games in hand, including at home against West Brom later on Saturday – while Everton are seven points off the top four having played more matches than their rivals.

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