Liverpool leave it late to beat Everton

A stoppage-time winner from Sadio Mane helped Liverpool to second in the Premier League as they edged Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park.

The former Southampton man pounced on a loose ball in the 94^th minute after Daniel Sturridge’s miscued shot hit the post and found the striker who was left with the simple task of putting the ball into the empty net.

Roberto Firmino was centimetres away from doubling the visitor’s lead in the 95^th minute, but the Brazilian was denied by Seamus Coleman who displayed great concentration to sweep the ball off the line.

Everton have now failed to beat Liverpool in 13 Premier League games, and will feel unfortunate not to have claimed at least a point, in what was a derby to forget for the fans.

In recent games, the home team have been criticized for starting slow, and despite the Toffees pressing Jurgen Klopp’s side early on and getting the crowd behind them, the only chance they could muster up fell to the returning Ross Barkley whose shot in the 23^rd minute dragged wide of the post.

Liverpool struggled to match Everton’s energy, and It took the away side 27 minutes to get a touch of the ball inside the Everton area after Georginio Wijnaldum’s shot whizzed over the crossbar.

The Reds were starting to find their rhythm when Wijnaldum found Nathaniel Clyne on the right-wing, before the 25-year-old picked out Divock Origi who failed to direct his effort on target.

Ramiro Funes Mori was sent-off in last season’s fixture, and the Argentine should have made the headlines again but headed wide, unchallenged at the near-post, in what was arguably the best chance in the first-half.

Ronald Koeman’s side were on the defensive early into the restart and nearly found themselves behind in the 51^st minute when Firmino’s lob was met with a decent save by Maarten Stekelenburg, before the Dutchman was forced from the field after colliding with Leighton Baines in the 63^rd minute.

Everton look to bounce back from the heart-breaking defeat when they travel to face Premier League champions, Leicester City on St Stephen's Day, while Liverpool host Mark Hughes’ Stoke City the following day, looking to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea.

Source: ISNTV

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