Liverpool left it late to see off Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday as Sadio Mane’s injury-time winner got the better of the Toffees at Goodison Park.
The game looked to be heading for a stalemate but excellent work from Daniel Sturridge saw his effort hit the post, only for Mane to react quickest and fire home into an empty net.
Jurgen Klopp’s men struggled to deal with Everton’s high intensity in the first-half, but as the hosts tired in the second, the Reds began to assert their authority, and were probably good value for the three points in the end.
It means that Liverpool will be second at Christmas, six points adrift of league leaders Chelsea, while Ronald Koeman’s Everton will head into their Boxing Day clash with Leicester eighth in the division.
Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
The Toffees’ game plan certainly worked in the opening 45 minutes, but they unsurprisingly struggled to match that intensity in the second, and in turn suffered their first home league defeat of the season.
They were fortunate to end the game with 11 players on the pitch after Ross Barkley’s horror challenge on Jordan Henderson received only a yellow card, and it is now 12 successive derbies without a win for the blue half of Merseyside, dating back to 2010.
Unsurprisingly, many supporters took to Twitter after the game to express their views, with Liverpool fans delighted that their side got what they deserved in the end…
3 pts, clean sheet, solid performance, well played (especially 2nd half), derby won, 2nd place in the table. We go again. #LFC #YNWA
— Andrea Man (@Manzo15_) December 19, 2016
Great win, valuable 3 points #EVELIV Strong performance in the 2nd half #LFC. EFC ran out of steam. Could have scored more. Mane fantastic.
— Chris Finegan (@bigfinbar) December 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/SwanyThaRed/status/810971201690566660
A HUGE 3pts tonight. That performance had everything: resilience, determination, bravery, and a bit of magic. Onwards boys! #LFC
— Oli K (@_OliKay_) December 19, 2016
On what a scrappy evening a Goodison Park, many Reds supporters praised the efforts of centre-back Ragnar Klavan, who kept striker Romelu Lukaku in check for much of the contest…
Klavan was absolutely brilliant tonight, had Lukaku in his pocket 2nd half, and also Lovren what a performance lad, could win the title #lfc
— Ahmet Gocer (@AhmetGocer2) December 19, 2016
I thought Klavan was brilliant tonight real solid performance on the up and up #LFC #LFCvEFC
— Mark hall (@Mark110680) December 19, 2016
#Klavan played well today against Lukaku. Impressed w his performance for the last 2 games. #LFC #EVELIV #YNWA
— BreadpittRed (@breadpitt76) December 19, 2016
While it was another frustrating derby day for Everton fans, who have to go back six years for the last time they beat their rivals…
Truly awful performance from Everton. Passionless and clueless. Big changes needed in January. Big clear out needed as well #efc
— Paul Jackson (@p1878JK) December 19, 2016
A poor performance and an inevitable injury-time winner for Liverpool. Too many players didn't show up again tonight. #efc
— Steve Darron (@steveofman) December 19, 2016
Win or draw that was a meek performance in a derby by Everton. #efc
— Brian Woolfinder (@Brian_ban) December 19, 2016
The fans wanted the players to deliver fight and passion, they did that. They also delivered a complete absence of quality. #EFC
— Royal Blue Everton (@RoyalBlueEFC) December 19, 2016
While Barkley’s involvement in the game prompted many to take to social media, suggesting that he was very lucky to stay on the pitch following his challenge on Henderson…
https://twitter.com/dcfcmatty90/status/810985260569726976
Barkley tackle on Henderson looks worse every time I see it. Should have been a red. But @FA can't take any further action. Joke #LFC
— James Clouting (@james_clouting) December 19, 2016
And many questioned his overall display, perhaps indicative of a player who may not reach his potential after all…
Barkley has some way to go to prove he deserves to stay. Can't see him staying much longer. Absolutely shocking today. #efc
— Elliott Cuff (@CuffWrites) December 19, 2016
If Spurs are genuinely interested in Barkley I'd take the money and run! Failing to fulfill potential and currently can't pass a ball! #EFC
— Morgan (@MorganEFC) December 19, 2016
We weren't good enough. Barry is finished, Barkley was awful, and we badly need a keeper. We need to sign 5 or 6 players! #efc
— Kev B (@KB3471) December 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/garyb_avfc/status/810979731415924737