Sadio Mane writes his name into Merseyside derby folklore

With one glorious poacher's finish deep into stoppage time the beaming Liverpool winger wrote his name into Merseyside derby folklore.

What looked destined to become an instantly forgettable stalemate was suddenly transformed into a dramatic triumph that will be cherished long after the cold turkey has gone.

For the first time in more than five years the travelling Kop celebrated victory across Stanley Park.

When Mane reacted quickest in the 94th minute to tuck away the rebound after Daniel Sturridge's low drive had bounced back off the post, there were scenes of unbridled jubilation among the 3,000 visiting fans in the Lower Bullens.

For Jurgen Klopp, this was another slice of history as he became the first Reds boss ever to win his first two battles with the Blues.

Did Liverpool deserve it? Probably not after such an error-strewn contest which was largely devoid of quality.

But that made it all the sweeter as they inflicted the Blues' first home league defeat since March and cut Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.

This was a case of fortune favouring the brave.

Many managers would have settled for what they had as the Reds looked set to emerge with a dogged point.

But Klopp opted to twist rather than stick. He threw on Daniel Sturridge, fit again after missing the previous five matches with a calf injury, and Liverpool launched the late salvo which yielded the winner Kopites so craved.

As stunned Evertonians headed for the exits in their droves, Mane's name echoed around Goodison.

Some questioned the size of the fee when Liverpool paid Southampton £30million to secure his services last summer.

Not any more. His eighth goal of the campaign was the most valuable of the lot. In fact it was priceless.

This was the perfect fillip for Klopp's side heading into a festive spell which will severely test their title credentials.

It was testament to the resilience and the never-say-die spirit the Reds manager prides himself on.

It was also testament to the Reds' fitness levels as they grew stronger at a time when Everton ran out of gas.

Ultimately, Ronold Koeman's men were left to curse their failure to take advantage of the Reds' struggles during the opening 45 minutes.

But the hosts were given a helping hand by Mike Dean in the second half when the Wirral official blundered by failing to dismiss Ross Barkley for a shocking challenge on Jordan Henderson.

Klopp had insisted his side would be inspired by the noise around them but for most of the first half they were way off the pace.

It was Everton who stamped their authority on proceedings but they were handed the initiative by the Reds' sloppiness.

There was an alarming lack of composure. Inside the opening 45 seconds Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan both launched it aimlessly down field, while Gini Wijnaldum was equally wasteful in possession early on.

It was all far too frenetic. Klopp stood on the touchline desperately trying to instil some calm in the ranks.

When Roberto Firmino lost a 50-50 challenge with Enner Valencia close to halfway it summed up Liverpool's plight.

To their credit Lovren and Klavan stood firm against the physical might of Romelu Lukaku.

Lovren made an important defensive header from Seamus Coleman's dangerous cross before Klavan made a goal-saving challenge on Lukaku.

This was a big night for the Estonia captain, who was making only his fifth Premier League start.

It was a step up from the Augsburg v 1860 Munich derby but he shone in the continued absence of Joel Matip. Klavan was Liverpool's best performer.

Lukaku looked favourite when Aaron Lennon drilled in a low centre but Klavan was alert to the danger and did brilliantly to deny him. Simon Mignolet didn't have a serious save to make all night.

Liverpool's problems stemmed from the top end of the field where Divock Origi struggled to make an impression.

The young Belgium got no change out of Ashley Williams or Ramiro Funes Mori. With Origi unable to hold the ball up, it just kept coming back.

Belatedly, in the closing stages of the first half, Liverpool spluttered into life as an attacking force.

They started to play their way out of tight situations rather than simply resorting to launching it long as the Blues pressed.

Wijnaldum fired over from 20 yards before the Reds squandered a fine chance eight minutes before the interval.

James Milner, Mane and Wijanldum combined to release Nathaniel Clyne, whose cross was blazed wide by Origi.

The good news for Kopites at the break was the knowledge that the Reds couldn't play as poorly in the second half and so it proved.

They started to move the ball quicker and there was a better tempo to their work. Mane set the tone by tracking back to pinch the ball off Idrissa Gueye's toe.

Milner's sweeping pass sent Firmino flying in behind Ramiro Funes Mori but he couldn't beat Maarten Stekelenburg. Adam Lallana and Mane then got in each other's way in their urgency to latch on to the rebound.

Lovren sensibly took a yellow when Lukaku threatened to get away from him but for the most part the Reds were in the ascendancy.

Mane's blistering pace nearly enabled him to get on the end of Firmino's clever flick. In stopping him, Leighton Baines and Stekelenburg collided with the keeper limping off soon after.

Liverpool should have enjoyed the luxury of a numerical advantage for the final quarter of the contest.

There was no debate. Barkley had to be sent off for a reckless lunge on Henderson as he planted his studs on the Liverpool captain's ankle. But Dean let him escape with a yellow.

Anxiety levels grew around Goodison as they saw the Blues penned further and further back.

Firmino's volley forced a sprawling save from substitute Joel Robles before Klopp brought on Sturridge and Emre Can.

Before kick-off the away end released dozens of balloons and unveiled a giant card with the message: ‘Happy 21st. From your successful neighbours’ - a reference to the Blues' long wait for silverware.

The present Kopites wanted finally arrived midway through eight minutes of stoppage time when Sturridge made the difference and Mane pounced.
During a breathless finale only a goalline clearance from Coleman prevented Firmino from adding a second.

Christmas had come early.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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