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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst

Will Ferrell leaves Liverpool journalists laughing as Darwin Nunez taunts Everton

Liverpool addressed their poor run of form since the turn of the year with a comprehensive derby victory over Everton on Monday.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo earned the Reds a 2-0 victory in the 242nd meeting between the teams. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side have breathed new life into their hopes of a top-four finish ahead of Saturday's visit to Newcastle United.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Anfield.

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Everton know the score

There's always a simmering tension to these derby encounters. And when Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford squared up to Andy Robertson during the closing moments, that was the cue for matters to boil over somewhat.

Players on both sides became involved in a melee that then spilled over towards the touchline, with substitutes becoming involved in a frank and at times physical exchange of views.

Kostas Tsimikas and Amadou Onana almost came to blows in an intense finger-jabbing session while Virgil van Dijk sported a knowing grin as players bounced this way and that.

And even though he had been earlier replaced after an impressive performance, Darwin Nunez couldn't help but have his say, hand gestures informing an increasingly irate Idrissa Gueye exactly what the scoreline was.

Ferrell behaviour

While Wrexham have established themselves as the football home for Hollywood funnymen in recent years, Anfield was still able to play host to an A-lister of its own on Monday night in Will Ferrell.

The Anchorman star continued his recent tour of the Premier League by pitching up on Merseyside and was able to meet the Reds team after the game as they celebrated a confidence-boosting victory over their local rivals.

Ferrell was happy to get pictures with various staff members from the club too before making his exit, but it was his brief interaction with the media that surely got the actor's biggest laugh of the night. As he passed through the area where the media are permitted to chat to the players who are happy to give up a few minutes of their time, Ferrell earned a collective chuckle from the assembled press as he briefly took on the persona of a Liverpool footballer who was just too busy to speak.

"Sorry guys, sorry guys, I've just got no time!" he joked as he breezed past the handful of journalists waiting to speak to members of the Liverpool and Everton squads. A surreal moment.

Nunez earns Robertson acclaim

It was an eventful night for Andy Robertson on Monday evening. After more than playing his part in Liverpool's crucial second goal, the Scotland captain endeared himself further to the Reds fans late on when he could be seen laughing in the face of a scowling Jordan Pickford.

But before the Reds left-back could see the funny side of it all, however, he could be seen dishing out what initially appeared to be a stern telling-off for Darwin Nunez during the second half.

Robertson was heard loudly shouting the name of his Uruguayan colleague in a demand for his attention after an Everton attack had petered out. But when Nunez eventually turned around, the defender gave a firm thumbs up in salute of his efforts after he had tracked back a considerable distance to snuff out a rare forage forward from the Blues. Nunez's hard work was fully deserving of Robertson's acclaim.

Sander's song

The press box was packed with the great and the good from Merseyside derbies past as Everton eyed a famous win and Liverpool sought a much-needed lift.

Leon Osman, Alan Stubbs, Ian Snodin were representing the Blues with Chris Kirkland, David James and Phil Thompson among the Red contingent.

And also present was Sander Westerveld, who won a cup treble in 2001 and also had a loan spell at Everton. There was, though, no doubt over his Mersey allegiance. When Roberto Firmino prepared for his introduction from the bench after injury, Westerveld, sat in the press box, could be heard singing along with the Kop to Firmino's trademark tune. Si, senor Sander.

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