MANE WITH GOLDEN GUN 4/11
A nervous performance from the local boy. Subbed IDRISSA GUEYE Put his usual non-stop shift in, but got little support in midfield battle DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN A big lesson for the youngster, but he will be better for it LEIGHTON BAINES Whipped over dangerous crosses and looked a threat at wing-back ROSS BARKLEY Flashes of promise... and flashes of spite. Lucky not to see red ROMELU LUKAKU The Belgian didn’t get the service he thrives on, struggled to shine The Everton boss left Anfield – where 007 star Daniel Craig (right) was among the Liverpool faithful – complaining that one of Jurgen Klopp’s coaches had spent the afternoon trying to get his players sent off. That the Dutchman also tried to claim his players deserved to return across Stanley Park with something more than another dose of derby misery smacked of a man wearing the emperor’s new clothes. Yes, Everton were stripped of key players, which made it impossible for Koeman’s men to walk the walk after their manager had talked the talk in the build-up to the game.
But the bottom line was Liverpool strengthened their grip on a top-four place, despite only showing flashes of the high-octane attacking threat that has made them such a force in the big games this season.
Goals from Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and substitute Divock Origi ensured that Everton are still waiting for their first win at Anfield this century. And, while the Toffees responded when youngster Matthew Pennington briefly woke from his personal nightmare to wipe out Mane’s early opener, parity lasted no more than two minutes. “I must mention, as the manager of Everton, that I am really proud of my team,” said Koeman. “I was pleased with the way we played. We had a game plan and we pressed them. “We came back from conceding a lucky goal and then we controlled the game. But then we conceded again too easily. “From that moment, Liverpool defended and defended. Then we made a mistake and they punished us again. But, after that, we had two or three open chances.
“If you see the stats, it was close – although the final result wasn’t.
“We had four boys of 22 or less, but we played in a way I like to see Everton play. That’s why I’m proud.”
At least Koeman had the good grace to admit that Ross Barkley was fortunate not to see red.
The Wavertree-born midfielder was breathing fire against the club he loves to hate.
He smashed into both Dejan Lovren and Emre Can before Mane had put Liverpool ahead in the eighth minute with a low drive that