What Arne Slot did on the Anfield pitch at full-time after Liverpool beat Everton

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Liverpool came away from the Merseyside Derby with a big win on Wednesday night after squeezing past Everton.

The Reds still had the memory of two disappointing defeats prior to the international break in their system and knew a win would be the only remedy.

Luckily, they got it. Diogo Jota was the difference, providing a moment of quality in a match which was otherwise devoid of much of it.

The win puts Liverpool 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and means 13 points are needed to lift the title in May.

It was not a pretty game by any means, but the points were the only thing that mattered to Liverpool after a damaging couple of weeks.

For Arne Slot, the victory was clearly an incredibly important one. And as the final whistle went, the Liverpool head coach let his emotions show.

Arne Slot lets a bit of Jurgen Klopp out

For much of the season, Slot has been calm and mild-mannered on the Liverpool bench.

This changed during February’s Merseyside Derby, of course, when the Dutchman lost his cool and picked up a two-game touchline ban.

Wednesday was a happier occasion for Slot, though, and after the game, BBC Sport journalist Shamoon Hafez spotted what he did on the Anfield pitch.

“Red smoke in the Kop End,” Hafez commented. “Chants of “we’re gonna win the league” echo round around Anfield.”

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“Arne Slot is on the pitch and pumping his fists towards the supporters. It’s tantalisingly close for them now.”

Slot knows how big Merseyside Derby win was

Wednesday really was a huge night for Liverpool. The Reds could not afford another slip-up after the PSG and Newcastle losses.

Of course, on paper the Reds can actually afford to lose perhaps even four games until the end of the season and still win the title.

But in terms of momentum and belief within the Liverpool squad, they simply had to win here.

Slot knew that and although he has not always been the most animated during his time with the Reds, he could clearly see the importance of Wednesday’s win.

Having also dropped points in dramatic fashion at Goodison not so long ago, it was clearly somewhat personal for Slot. His first Merseyside Derby win was not a memorable one, but it was mightily important nonetheless.