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Liverpool dismantles Everton, increases Premier League lead

By Alex Butler
Divock Origi (L) scored in the 6th and 31st minute of Liverpool's win against Everton Wednesday in Liverpool, England. Photo by Peter Powell/EPA-EFE/Peter Powell
Divock Origi (L) scored in the 6th and 31st minute of Liverpool's win against Everton Wednesday in Liverpool, England. Photo by Peter Powell/EPA-EFE/Peter Powell

Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Divock Origi scored two first half goals to lead Liverpool to a 5-2 win against Everton, increasing the Reds' edge atop the Premier League standings.

The Belgian striker scored in the 6th and 31st minute of the lopsided triumph Wednesday at Anfield in Liverpool, England. Liverpool now has 43 points at the top of the Premier League, leading Leicester City (35 points) and Manchester City (32 points).

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Sadio Mane had a goal and two assists for the Reds. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp became the second-fastest manager to win 100 Premier League games with the victory.

"There were a lot of goals today and we showed that we really enjoyed to play for Liverpool," Origi told reporters. "The manager showed us trust and we just tried to repay it as much as possible and get the three points.

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"We know it's important for our season. It's an important game, it's special, you can hear it. I'm so happy."

The Reds bolted out to a breakaway during their first score in the 6th minute. Mane received a pass on the Liverpool end before dribbling past midfield. He then bent in a perfect grounded cross ahead for Origi. The Liverpool striker tracked down the pass and tapped the ball around Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, before using his next touch to score.

Liverpool doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Mane received a long ball on the left flank to spark that score. He tapped the ball ahead and took on a defender, before slipping a pass into the box for Xherdan Shaqiri. Shaqiri used his first touch to slip a shot into the far-post netting, just beating Pickford for a 2-0 lead.

Everton got on the scoreboard in the 21st minute. Liverpool denied several scoring attempts during that exchange, before the ball deflected out to Michael Keane. The Everton defender blasted a shot into the Liverpool net from point-blank range after gaining possession.

Reds defender Dejan Lovren delivered a beautiful pass for Origi during Liverpool's third score. Lovren smacked the pass from behind midfield, delivering the long ball over Origi's head and into the box. Origi softly tapped the ball down before flipping a shot over Pickford and into the net in the 31st minute.

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Mane found the net for Liverpool in the 45th minute. He did a long give-and-go with Trent Alexander-Arnold along the left flank before getting the ball back at the top of the box. Mane finished off the play by placing a shot into the left side of the net.

Everton midfielder Bernard found Richarlison for a diving head ball score in first half stoppage time to make the score 4-2 at the break. Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino assisted Georginio Wijnaldum for the final score of the game in the 90th minute.

"[The first half] was unbelievable," Shaqiri said. "We obviously changed formation a little bit and some players played who didn't play a lot for a few weeks.

"We did very well. It's big credit for the team; you can see how good we are. We started very well, of course it was a little bit dramatic and we have to learn from our little mistakes, but that's football."

The Reds battle Bournemouth at 10 a.m. EST Saturday at Dean Court in Bournemouth, England.

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