There was plenty for Liverpool to smile about after beating Everton in Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The Reds were made to work for all three points, though eventually got over the line after a second-half brace from Mohamed Salah.
Ashley Young’s sending off tipped the balance of the game in Liverpool’s favour, with the visitors unable to cope with the attacking advances of Jurgen Klopp’s side as the match progressed.
Ashley Young’s sending off tipped the balance of the game in Liverpool’s favour, with the visitors unable to cope with the attacking advances of Jurgen Klopp’s side as the match progressed.
This result has ensured the title race remains on, with only one point separating fourth and first after nine matches played.
There were a number of moments that went under the radar during the weekend’s derby, which have emerged from behind-the-scenes footage captured by the Reds.
Celebrations continue
Cameras were positioned outside the home dressing room to capture the scenes of Klopp’s men making their victorious walk back inside after the full-time whistle.
Everyone in red had a wide smile on their face as they headed inside and the likes of Alisson and Harvey Elliott made clear emotions were running high after playfully high-fiving the equipment being used to film. Elsewhere, the words “Dutch mafia!” could be heard as Pep Lijnders and Ryan Gravenberch walked side-by-side back into the dressing room.
Rivalries were placed to one side, with players from both teams stopping in the tunnel for a post-match chat. Dutch duo Arnaut Danjuma and Gravenberch could be seen in conversation before exchanging shirts, while the same also applied with Elliott and his England under-21s team-mate, Jarrad Branthwaite.
Branthwaite had another Liverpool player stop to say hello moments later as Cody Gakpo made his way to offer up a few words. The pair played together at PSV Eindhoven last season, with the Everton defender spending the campaign in the Netherlands on loan from the Blues. Together, they helped PSV to the KNVB Cup and a second-placed finish.
Achterberg snubbed
The delight on the faces of the Liverpool coaching staff was clear to see after the Reds’ 2-0 triumph was confirmed.
As Klopp made his way onto the pitch for some post-match fist pumps, the Reds’ goalkeeping coach John Achterberg attempted a handshake with Pep Lijnders, he was left hanging by his fellow Dutchman. Lijnders, too busy celebrating with the crowd.
Achterberg instead sought out head of fitness and conditioning Andreas Kornmayer for an embrace, playing his previous snub cool in the process.
Westerveld spotted
One man who knows what is like to play for both Merseyside clubs, Sander Westerveld, was spotted in the players’ tunnel as those on the pitch made their way back to their respective changing rooms.
The retired goalkeeper, part of the Reds’ treble-winning team of 2000/01, was loaned to Everton later in his career in 2006 before hanging up his boots in 2013.
Due to his spell with the Blues only being a 28-day loan spell, one would imagine his allegiances lie with Liverpool.