Liverpool left it late to snatch all three points in the Merseyside Derby, with Sadio Mane capping his first appearance in the fixture with a decisive goal. Daniel Sturridge was the orchestrator, letting fly from outside the Everton box only for the ball to come off the post, where Mane was on hand for an easy tap in. The Senegalese international has hit the ground running since his summer move and his stoppage time winner will have endeared him to the fans even further.
After a rather congested first-half from both sides, with little in the way of goalmouth action, Jurgen Klopp will have stressed to his players the importance of three points at Goodison. His players responded well with a dominant second-half display.
Everton showed little signs of testing Simon Mignolet in goal, with Klavan and Lovren doing well to stifle any attacking threat. Mane’s goal leaves Liverpool seven places ahead of their neighbours in the Premier League table.
Simon Mignolet – 7
Much like the game against Middlesbrough, Mignolet was rarely called into action. Making a few routine saves and showing composure to distribute the ball quickly to his teammates, the Belgian recorded his second clean-sheet since returning to the side.
Nathaniel Clyne – 7
Clyne took a while to feel his way into the game, but produced the best chance of the first-half for Jurgen Klopp’s side and continued to be a constant headache for Aaron Lennon.
Dejan Lovren – 8
Lovren played his part in ensuring Lukaku’s impact on the game was heavily restricted. He showed good composure and aggression throughout the match.
Ragnar Klavan – 8
After receiving huge praise for his performance against Middlesbrough, Klavan produced another rock-solid display for Liverpool this time out. The Estonian was the commanding presence at the back and has certainly made the most of his chance in the first-team since Matip’s injury.
James Milner – 7
While his delivery wasn’t always perfect, Milner grew into the game and produced a good chance for Firmino. Defensively, he was left relatively untroubled and did a good job of ensuring Coleman wasn’t able to burst forward for Everton.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Henderson played a key role in ensuring Liverpool maintained their composure and possession in the second-half. He established his influence in midfield once again.
Gini Wijnaldum – 7
Although heavily criticised by fans during the half-time interval, Wijnaldum once again showed what a calming influence he can be on-the-ball. He does a lot of the work that goes unnoticed for the side, but his strength and energy was key in winning the midfield battle.
Adam Lallana – 7
Lallana managed to find space well despite a heavily-congested midfield. While he wasn’t as involved as he would have liked, when he was in possession he did well with it –Â ensuring Liverpool remained patient in their build-up.
Roberto Firmino – 6
Firmino was rather off-the-pace during the majority of the first-half but his influence grew as Liverpool saw more of the ball. He was much more effective through the middle and could have had one or two goals to his name but for a fine stop from Joel Robles in the second-half.
Sadio Mane – 8
Despite a relatively average performance, Mane came up with the goods when it really mattered for Jurgen Klopp. It seemed destined to finish at 0-0 but Mane had other ideas, showing great reactions to latch on to Sturridge’s rebound and net the all important goal for Liverpool.
Divock Origi – 6
Compared to recent performances, Origi was rather sub-par. He found it hard to hold up the ball against the physical presence of Funes Mori and his final ball was rather lacking. However, he did grow into the game when moving out wide.
Daniel Sturridge – 7
Sturridge was the catalyst for Liverpool’s winning goal. Injuries have plagued his season but he certainly played his part in the Derby win, creating the chance for himself before Mane turned the ball into the net.
Emre Can – 6
Wasn’t hugely involved after coming on for Lallana apart from making an important interception against Lukaku. However, his passing was rather wayward.
Great team spirit and resolve to get this victory. Lovren to me was a 7 at best Klavan on the other hand was a 9. Had Lukakku on lock from start to end. I think we don’t give him enough playing time especially over Locus oop’s yeah I forgot you call him lucas. Also Klopp is expecting Sturridge to effect a game by only giving him 8-10 mins to do so. Luckily for us he got the benefit of a lot of extra time in the form of injury time. Sturridge then obliged. Where is Grujic and Kevin Stewart? I personally feel that Locus is taking up space for promising young players on the bench and or field.
I know he’s a fan favorite (although I don’t understand why), but we can’t be sentimental in saying oh he’s a nice guy and good for the changing room cause THAT DOESN’T WIN TITLES PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
@RedPanther: I’m sorry to say it but you haven’t got a clue, mate.
Our squad is a relatively young one, with players like Karius (23), Matip (25), Clyne (25), Can (22), Coutinho (24), Mane (24), Firmino (25) and Origi (21) REGULARLY involved in the starting XI. Our captain took the armband at around the same age, currently just 26 (and who do you think he’s currently learning his trade from while playing as a single pivot DM in the side? lol). How many “youth players” till you’ve had your fill exactly? And you honestly don’t think experience on the pitch AND in the locker room is a contributing factor to winning titles? Wow..
Furthermore, Kevin Stewart is hardly a “promising young player” – he’s 23 and quite limited. The fact that it’s taken him as long as it has to break into the first team is what you should be focusing on a bit more.. He’s the the player in our Reserves who stood to benefit most from the absences of Lucas Leiva’s ageing without a like for like replacement available (never been in agreement that Can is that man, and clearly neither is Klopp), that the reason you even know the name “Kevin Stewart”. He’s an enforcer who’s been around the Academy for some time and so he’s got that bit more experience than his youth team counterparts obviously; it only made sense that he could come into the side and ‘do a job’ while keeping his head and making the occasional contribution going forward – classic DM, right? Cool. Let’s not get carried away..
You think Jurgen Klopp keeps Lucas on the bench (or in the team for that matter) based on anything other than merit? And you think that ‘merit’ stems from his legs, pace, what? Obviously not.. it’s what’s between the ears, both in experience/composure (of which he has loads, so behave) and the lift he gives to the players around him when he’s out there helping them out.
I can scarcely think of another Liverpool player in the last five years who’s been nearly as sacrificial and effective at his job so as to help the rest of the team freely do theirs. We’re talking about a player who REGULARLY topped the tackles/min statistic and comfortably sat top 3 in the tackles% stat across the entire PL, has received all of ONE red card in league play and has TWO registered errors that lead to goals across 231 appearances. Yerr boi Lovren had that many in the 14/15 season alone, likely just the first half of it (and I doubt you’d be asking him to sit these days).
You’re still dancing on the grave of a Benitez transfer for a young Brazilian attacking mid who didn’t hit the ground running in a defensive role entirely new to him, being asked to slot into arguably the world’s best midfield at the time? Not a good look.. :/
Support the club, respect the manager, watch the matches properly, get informed.
Lucas is the kind of player every club deserves but can’t always have, he may not be flashy in possession, get goals, etc. but that doesn’t take away from the man he is and the club servant he has been and continues to be for Liverpool Football Club.
YNWA, glad to be sharing this victory with you & happy holidays!
Haven’t got a clue?????? LOL If he’s been your sacrificial effective player your just as lost as I suspect . Title are not won with a player whom fans make excuses for because they like his character! We have been subjected to so many mediocre players since the glory days we try and pawn them off as legitimate stars.
Locus has been a loyal servant and that’s all he’s always been a mediocre player at best and that’s the facts. As for your bogus stats on him and that BS about he isn’t really a defensive player just proves my point he’s a bit player because what he was bought for he wasn’t good enough and on top of all your oh he’s so great remarks how come even at 2.5 not one EPL team even budged……..BECAUSE HE’S NOT WORTH THAT TO THEM THEY ALL HAVE JUST AS GOOD OR BETTER (IN MOST CASES) ALREADY. YOU NEED TO GET A CLUE . Inter wanted him when Rodgers was at the club for 13.5. Instead of selling him and making real strides forward the twit let him play while trying to get the lad that went to Madrid. He played one game and Inter took their offer from 13.5 to a loan offer 1.4 or there about. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT!!!! GET A CLUE IS RIGHT ONLY IT”S YOU THAT NEEDS TO.
Trust and believe I’m Red through and through as I know you are and in my opinion he’s never been what we tout him as thank you for the well wishes same to you and yours and YNWA
YEAH YOU WERE SAYING? AS I SAID HE’S TRASH AND PROBABLY HANDED CHELSEA ALL THEY NEEDED RIGHT THERE I REPEAT TRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KLOPP MAKES ME SICK PLAYING THAT DUMB ASS ALL HE DOES IS GIVE UP STUPID FOULS JUST OUTSIDE THE AREA EVERY TEAM KNOWS THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PISSED RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!