This was without a doubt one of the most boring Merseyside Derbies that I have ever witnessed. It was an interesting time of year to host a Merseyside Derby - just before Christmas with the potential to send one set of fans to Christmas dinner with bragging rights. However in a match that only recorded 5 shots on target throughout, both Liverpool and Everton didn't perform to standard on the night. Then after the introduction of Daniel Sturridge, the striker skipped through the middle with his shot rolling past substitute keeper Robles and hitting the post.
Then up stepped Sadio Mane to tap home the rebound in the 94th minute and send the away fans into jubilation, throwing a flare onto the pitch to amplify the celebrations. Possibly, by any stretch of the definition, the most Everton thing and the most Liverpool thing to happen.
Have a Mané Christmas
In retrospect, Mane's goal wouldn't have happened under normal circumstances. When Stekelenburg collided with Baines midway through the second half, the Dutch goalkeeper was determined to stay on the pitch and when forced off, took his time doing so. His desire to stay on the pitch contributed significantly to the 8 minutes of added time at the end of the game, with Mane only needing half of that time to give Liverpool the lead and the win at Goodison Park.
With Koeman admitting that the 8 minutes of added time didn't help his side. The moral of the story is, don't be a hero.
"We are really disappointed to concede in extra time. The eight minutes killed us. I know exactly how fast Sadio Mane is, he reacted so well. We did not deserve to concede this goal.
Despite poor performances from both sides, this win sparks a signal of intent from Liverpool, seeing through a result without performing at a high standard.
Something which Liverpool sides of recent haven't had the ability to do. Mane's goal moved Liverpool into second in the Premier League table going into Christmas, with many starting to believe that they will be Chelsea's main rivals in this year's title race.
Poor Performance
I remember watching the game and thinking to myself about 25 minutes in 'this is the worst Liverpool performance I have seen all season'.
However, in his post-match interview, Klopp has defended his side's performance in the derby.
"I don't agree it was a poor first half. Maybe not the best Football - you have to adapt to Everton's wild game. A game like this you have to interrupt their rhythm with passing. In the second half, it was clear they couldn't do the same. We were better, we didn't give one chance away I think."
From a defensive standpoint, both sides were excellent, however, I think Can's first contribution to the game (his dreadful first-time pass which flew out of play) personified their problems on the night. They just couldn't string a few passes together and it was frustratingly sloppy. At the end of the day, there is no-one who will deny that Liverpool were lucky to escape Goodison Park with all 3 points; but no-one was luckier on the night than Ross Barkley, who should have seen red for a 67th-minute tackle on Henderson.
Both managers commented on the tackle.
Koeman: "Maybe Ross Barkley was lucky, it was a hard tackle."
Klopp: "I saw it one time. Everything is clear. I think the referee had a difficult game. Maybe Ross was really lucky and Henderson was really lucky."
To me, that was just a polite way of saying that yeah he should have been sent off. However these type of challenges are expected in derbies, and of course, the typical 'fight' between players broke out following the tackle. This derby was anything but spectacular, but if it did show anything it is that Liverpool have the ability to see out results despite playing poorly, a trait that will certainly benefit them in the upcoming Premier League title race.
