Liverpool late show at Everton sends a warning to Chelsea
Reds show they have the stomach for the title fight as Sadio Mane settles the Merseyside derby in injury time
Everton 0 Liverpool 1
While others have fallen by the wayside in the title race of late, Liverpool sent a message to league leaders Chelsea with a precious goal deep into stoppage time at Everton. Their last-gasp victory in the Merseyside derby earned them three points and moved them into second spot, six points behind the Blues.
It wasn't a pretty match, one that is likely to have slipped from the memory of the neutral before the Christmas turkey is finished, but all that matters for Reds' fans is that Sadio Mane managed to put the ball in the net four minutes into injury time.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The goal summed up the scrappy game, Mane reacting quickest to the rebound after Daniel Sturridge's scuffed shot had rattled the post. It was probably what Liverpool deserved with the visitors creating most of what few chances there were on a raw Merseyside night.
But other than the dramatic late winner there was little to talk about after the match, other than Ross Barkley's shocking tackle on Jordan Henderson, which incensed the Liverpool players. The Everton midfielder was perhaps lucky to escape with only a yellow card on an evening that was in stark contrast to the celebrations last week, when the Toffees came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1.
That victory showcased Everton's grit but on Monday evening it was Liverpool who displayed admirable endurance to keep going to the bitter end in search of the all-important goal.
"I think we were the clear better team today," said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. "That doesn't mean we had to win, but if we talk about a deserved win or not it would have been LFC."
While the mettle of Arsene Wenger's squad is open to debate following their recent slump in form, Klopp can take immense satisfaction from what his players have achieved in following last week's win away at Middlesbrough with victory in the 227th Merseyside derby.
"Of course it is [about] character," he replied, when asked if that was a factor in the late victory. "But I was never in doubt about the character."
Liverpool next play Stoke at home, on 27 December, before hosting Manchester City at Anfield four days later, a match that is likely to have a significant bearing on the title race. City are a point behind Liverpool and if Chelsea continue their winning form the match could be an eliminator in the race to catch them.
What's also important, said Klopp on Monday evening, is that his side keep drawing lessons from every encounter. "We learned it in the game and that's what I really loved tonight - that we did it so much better in the second half, that we learned from the first half. That's really important, but in the end you need to fight for every single ball - and that's what we did too. Good!"
Liverpool's title hopes could depend on 'war' with Everton
19 December
The first Merseyside derby of the season will be a "war" according to Liverpool striker Divock Origi, who was stretchered off after a terrible challenge from Everton's Ramiro Funes Mori the last time the two sides met back in April.
The meeting will be Jurgen Klopp’s first game at Goodison Park, 14 months after he took over as Liverpool boss, and will be Ronald Koeman’s first experience of the fixture.
"It will be a war," said Origi, “so we go there in a very positive way. You want to win this game, you know it will not be easy, it is a derby so it will be special and a very big and important game for us as a club also. We have to prepare it well.”
While Origi compared the game to a war, understandable after the knee ligament injury he sustained in April at Anfield, Everton boss Koeman has told The Sun that the game is bigger than El Clasico in Spain.
"The Everton versus Liverpool derby in the city where I work now is bigger with emotions because of the incredible football culture in this country," said the Dutchman.
And the stakes are certainly high, for Liverpool in particular, says Amitai Winehouse for Mail Online. The game "offers so much more than bragging rights", he says. "Supporters demand a result, but victory holds an even greater significance for the Reds.
"Given the importance to Liverpool and their hopes this season, it will not just be the north west but the entire division watching."
And after Everton rediscovered their bite against Arsenal in midweek, Origi's prediction could come true, with the Toffees looking to outmuscle the Reds.
"Everton have made no secret that they will look to bully the Reds just as they did Wenger’s fragile Arsenal team, but Klopp believes his team are less timid in the face of hostility," says David Maddock of the Daily Mirror. "And he warned opposite number Ronald Koeman that he will fight fight with fire if it comes to a typical derby punch up tonight."
It should make for a fine game, says Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph. "If – and it surely will be a given that they will – Everton can summon up an atmosphere similar to the win over Arsenal then this could be one of the classic Merseyside derbies. Liverpool arrive fresh from a thumping away victory and wanted to impose themselves again on their noisy neighbours. Could be epic. Or attritional. Or both."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Who is Darwin Nunez? The ‘modern striker’ signing for Liverpool
Why Everyone’s Talking About Portuguese club Benfica confirm a deal for the Uruguay international worth up to €100m
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League final: blame game begins for chaos in Paris
feature Liverpool call for an investigation as Uefa are accused of a ‘narrative of lies’
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
2022 FA Cup final: Chelsea vs. Liverpool preview, predictions, kick-off time and TV coverage
feature Premier League rivals go head-to-head in another Wembley final
By Mike Starling Published