Liverpool snatched a late 1-0 win over Everton in a fiercely contested Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on 19 December 2016. The match looked set to be heading towards a goalless stalemate before Sadio Mane scored the winner in injury-time.
The result helps Liverpool leapfrog Manchester City to move to second in the Premier League table, while their city rivals now run the risk of slipping down to the lower half of league table with just 2 points separating them from Watford in 12th place.
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We take a look at the talking points of the game:
#1 Strong start by hosts but unable to find the back of the net
Having won just one out of the past 19 derbies, Everton started the match very strongly. They dominated the play with a very high-intensity game and didn’t allow the Liverpool players any time on the ball.
However, the Everton attack failed to capitalise in the period of domination and a lack of creativity in the final third plus some solid defending by Liverpool denied the hosts the chance to go ahead in the game.
#2 No clear chances for either side in feisty first half
Both managers had plenty of food for thought at the break after neither team managed to record a shot on target in the first half. Despite dominating the play, Everton were unable to trouble Simon Mignolet much (with the Belgian keeper being kept busier by attempts to clear the back-passes by his own teammates!).
The Liverpool attack, leading the goals tally in the league, also failed to threaten the Everton goal and create many chances as well, with Divock Origi shooting wide from a rare opening for the visitors in the first half.
#3 Barkley lucky not to see red after rash tackle on Henderson
Ross Barkley was booked for a late challenge on Jordan Henderson, but replays showed that the Everton player was lucky to not be sent off for the foul, which could have resulted in a serious injury for the Liverpool captain.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman admitted in the post-match interview that Barkley was “maybe lucky”, while Henderson shared that Barkley had apologised to him at the end of the match.
With Sergio Aguero and Jamie Vardy seeing red and Marcos Rojo escaping the penalty for similar challenges in recent times, the debate on refereeing decisions in similar cases is likely to continue in the near future.
#4 Scrappy goal but they all count
With the game entering into an extended injury-time (because of delays after an injury to Maarten Stekelenburg), both teams seemed to be unable to find a winner, and a goalless draw looked likely.
But just then in the 94th minute, substitute Daniel Sturridge made a run from the right and saw his miscued shot hit the post. An alert Sadio Mane pounced to score from close range off the rebound to ensure all 3 points for the visitors.
It wasn’t the prettiest of goals, but Mane ensured that it’ll be counted among the famous injury-time goals in Liverpool history given the significance of the game.
Liverpool almost scored a second in the stoppage-time as Firmino’s shot was clear off the goal line by Seamus Coleman.
#5 Ragnar Klavan impresses in defence for Liverpool
One of the surprise and low-profile signings by Liverpool in the summer as a backup defender, Ragnar Klavan has shown that he is a very capable option and can step in and contribute whenever required.
Deputizing again for the injured Joel Matip, Klavan helped Liverpool to a second consecutive clean sheet with a calm and assured display. The Estonian captain had a very good game in the defence and kept Romelu Lukaku quiet and ensured that Everton failed to convert their period of dominance in the first half into a goal.
