Andy Robertson’s interception in auxiliary role crucial for Liverpool as Everton fan’s hilarious act fails

Liverpool claimed the bragging rights in the 239th Merseyside derby with a 4-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

The Reds were dominant from the start and took the lead in the ninth minute through Jordan Henderson.

Mo Salah then doubled the lead for Jurgen Klopp’s side 10 minutes later with a composed finish.

Demarai Gray reduced the arrears on 38 minutes but that was as good as it got for Everton.

Liverpool regained their two-goal advantage in the 64 minute through Salah’s 19th goal of the season before Diogo Jota put the gloss on the victory with 11 minutes remaining.

Those were the main moments throughout the game.

But here are some of the events you might not have picked up on.

Contrasting temperaments

Klopp called for cool heads ahead of the encounter.

He knew getting too emotional and not sticking to the game-plan could prove to be Liverpool's downfall.

Credit has to be given to his troops. They carried out their instructions impeccably and didn't get caught up in the moment.

However, the same can't be said for Everton. It took less than a minute into the clash for tempers to flare between team-mates.

Seamus Coleman and Jordan Pickford got into an argument in the opening salvo after the Reds came out of the traps swiftly.

Coleman felt that Pickford should have come out of his goal to collect a ball as Jota broke towards goal.

The Everton skipper vented his fury at the goalkeeper, with a corner conceded.

Coleman knew the Blues couldn't afford to give Liverpool anymore goalscoring opportunities than they were going to get.

How Coleman might have reacted had Joel Matip's corner nestled into the corner rather than just wide of the post is another question.

Robertson’s crucial interception

It was a role that Andy Robertson didn't have to hesitate to take up.

After Trent Alexander-Arnold mopped up from an Everton corner down the left flank, Robertson made his way to the opposite wing to deputise.

For some reason, there are always more fears when a left-footed defender has to play on the opposite wing.

It's a role they scarcely take up as a junior up to their senior career given they're in the minority and usually have the luxury to play on their natural side.

So when Demarai Gray - who was Everton's most potent attacking threat - broke at pace on the counter-attack in the 19th minute, there were some fears as he forayed at Robertson.

Had the Toffees winger got past his marker, there would have been a real chance to create an opportunity for an equaliser.

However, despite looking slightly off-balance, Robertson thwarted Gray superbly to concede a thrown-in.

In an auxiliary role, the Scotland international snuffed out the danger.

And how crucial his intervention proved. Only seconds later, Liverpool won the ball back and Henderson's splitting pass set Salah free to double the lead.

How different things could have been had it not been for Robertson's challenge.

Hilarious dark arts attempt

Everton fans knew they'd have to do all in their power to get a result.

From creating a hostile atmosphere to vociferously backing their team ahead of kick-off and in the early stages, everything was done.

Time-wasting, when the ball went out of play for a Liverpool set-piece, was another ploy used.

So much so that there were balls not returned to the pitch from the stands.

Instead, new ones had to be sent on to get the game restarted.

Whoever got hold of one of the balls must have been irate in the 26th minute when the Reds were 2-0 up.

As they conjured up another threatening attack, moving the ball around quickly, the ball was hurled onto the pitch from the Gwladys Street stand. You had to chuckle.

It bounced around and, surprisingly, referee Paul Tierney did not stop play because of it.

It took Thiago Alcantara to launch the ball back into the terraces to get it off.

Liverpool's attack soon broke down, although it was through no fault of the loose ball.