Sadio Mane scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool picked up a late 1-0 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton.
The Premier League's top scorers struggled to create any real chances across the 90 minutes, with their best attempt in normal time seeing Roberto Firmino denied by Joel Robles on the volley.
Everton, who had just the one attempt on goal all night, were denied a share of the spoils in added time when Mane bundled in after Daniel Sturridge's shot came back off the upright.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park. The Reds make the short trip across Stanley Park for this 227th Merseyside derby meeting aiming to pick up the win required to move back into second place, while their near neighbours have their eyes on back-to-back wins for the first time since September.
It is a fixture that Liverpool have had the better of down the years, winning 74 times compared to their opponents' 57, but it is fair to say that Everton - players and supporters alike - will be well up for this one as they attempt to stop the Reds' potential charge for the title. Much of the focus is of course on the visitors, though there is also plenty for the home side to play for over the next few hours at Goodison Park.
TEAM NEWS!
EVERTON XI: Stekelenburg, Coleman, Funes Mori, Williams, Baines, Gana, McCarthy, Lennon, Barkley, Valencia, Lukaku
LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Origi
Starting with a look at the visiting side, manager Jurgen Klopp has gone with an unchanged starting lineup this evening. The German had few complaints after the comprehensive 3-0 win over Middlesbrough five days ago, so there is no great surprise to see the same XI start this one. Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge have both recovered from their recent injury setbacks, but neither is fit enough to force their way back into the team.
Klopp had already confirmed a few days ago that, barring any last-minute change of mind, Simon Mignolet would retain his place in goal for this Merseyside derby showdown. That was the big talking point leading into the match with Boro last Wednesday, but the Belgian did not have a great deal to do when coming in for Loris Karius - pulling off just a couple of saves across the 90 minutes - and he is therefore tasked with manning the goal once again this evening.
While Sturridge and Can are fit enough for the bench, Joel Matip again misses out on the squad entirely due to an ankle injury. Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan will therefore start in the heart of defence, looking to build on that clean sheet picked up at the Riverside Stadium last week. Philippe Coutinho is the one major absentee, of course, with the Brazilian expected to be a week or so away from a return to full training, yet in his place Adam Lallana has stood out with six goals and six assists to his name this term - more than any other Englishman in the division.
Switching attention to the hosts now and there is news of one Everton change to bring you. That is very much enforced, as Ronald Koeman is without Phil Jagielka in the heart of defence for this one following the late red picked up against Arsenal - Ramiro Funes Mori instead taking over alongside the matchwinner from the Gunners match in Ashley Williams. Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman again occupy the full-back berths.
Gareth Barry was left out of the squad completely against Arsenal six days ago and is again overlooked for inclusion here, but he does at least have a place on the bench. Koeman obviously keen to keep things as similar as possible from last time out, with plenty of rest in-between thanks to the Premier League's scheduling, so other than Funes Mori - sent off for a horror challenge the last time these teams met - it is as you were.
Ross Barkley will take confidence from his second start on the bounce - both of which are what you would describe as 'big matches' for the Toffees - taking his place in attack alongside Aaron Lennon and Enner Valencia. The latter started his first game of the season last time out against Arsenal and proved a good aerial threat, so that is likely to be a route that Everton look to exploit this evening. Romelu Lukaku, with nine goals in 15 this term and five in eight against the Reds overall, leads the line for the hosts.
BENCH WATCH!
EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Mirallas, Cleverley, Barry, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Kenny
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Karius, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Alexander, Woodburn, Sturridge
The Reds handed a big boost with returns to the matchday for both Sturridge and Can, then, while youngster Ben Woodburn will likely still be on a real high following his goal against Leeds United earlier this month. In terms of the hosts, they can call upon the experienced Barry and fellow calm-headed midfielder Tom Cleverley, but in attack they only really have Kevin Mirallas among their proven back-up options.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has made one change to his side this evening - an enforced alteration that sees Ramiro Funes Mori come in for the suspended Phil Jagielka. The Argentina international was dismissed the last time these two sides met when wiping out Divock Origi with a real nasty challenge, so he will need to keep his head this time around. Liverpool are unchanged, meanwhile, but Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge both return to the bench.
Everton find themselves in ninth place in the Premier League ahead of this "cup final", as Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher put it a little earlier. They do of course hold a game in hand over all but one side in the division, with this the last of the weekend's action, knowing that victory will be enough to take them up to seventh place in the division - a respectable place to find yourself in at Christmas time, but the Toffees certainly will not want to be any lower come the midway point.
That win over Arsenal here last week really was huge, ending a run of five games without a win that saw supporters grow more and more frustrated. That angst was clear to sense around Goodison Park last Tuesday in the first half, as Arsenal took advantage of the hosts' slack start to the match by racing ahead. Koeman's men staged the type of comeback that really can act as a turning point in a campaign, though, scoring headers through Coleman and Williams to finally bring the feel-good factor back to the blue half of Merseyside.
It is still just the two wins since mid-September for the Toffees, however, with the other victory in that run coming over West Ham United here at the end of last month. Everton were very much at risk of slipping further and further down the division, but that three-point haul over an Arsenal side very much in form at that point has now left them looking back up at a potential top-five finish. Ten points is the current margin, while Liverpool are one point further ahead.
Koeman recently hit out at his "weak" players towards the end of that winless run, hinting that he would make some widespread changes in the January window if financially backed. The long-term injury layoff for £30m summer signing Yannick Bolasie has only made the Dutchman more determined to bring in a difference-maker in the mould of Lukaku, who has for too long carried too much weight on his shoulders in that forward line. Coleman and Williams were the unlikely scorers last week, but surely we will not see defending as bad as that tonight... will we?
Indeed, with the transfer window now just a fortnight away, certain players in this Everton side could well be playing for their futures. Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin and the two that are continually being linked with the Toffees, suggesting that Koeman is targeting some midfield firepower to offer support to Lukaku in attack. It seems a long time ago now, but Koeman kicked off his Goodison tenure with 13 points from a possible 15, remember, so there is certainly quality in this squad already.
That win over Arsenal must now be used as a springboard to push on, which the Toffees have so often failed to do this term; failing to pick up back-to-back wins since their strong start to the season in August and early September. No questioning their overall form at Goodison Park, where they have remained unbeaten for 11 games now since defeat to Arsenal on March 19, winning six and drawing five of those matches. More of the same today and supporters really will be on a high!
DID YOU KNOW? Everton have recovered 11 points from losing positions so far this season - more than any other team in the Premier League ahead of this latest round of matches. The Toffees have also score a goal in the final five minutes in four of their last five outings, three of which have changed the outcome of the game. Fighting spirit has been on show, then, even if Koeman's men have been slumbering away in the lower reached of the top half.
Ronald Koeman began his Everton reign in an impressive style by accruing 13 points from the first 15 on offer; the Toffees finding themselves up in second place following the win over Middlesbrough here in mid-September. Since then it has not been quite as rosy, however, with a run of just one win in 10 prior to their huge comeback victory over Arsenal six days ago. Will that act as a springboard this evening when rivals Liverpool visit Goodison Park?
It has been a great first full campaign for Klopp at Anfield, meanwhile, having guided the Reds to third place in the Premier League table as we approach the midway stage. Liverpool are currently level on points with Arsenal and two below second-placed Manchester City, but it is leaders Chelsea - nine points ahead after a run of 11 wins on the spin - who are the side currently in their sights. If they are to catch the Blues then victory this evening is very much a must.
Finishing in a Champions League berth will be a decent consolation for Liverpool but, after brushing aside teams with so much ease for much of the last two months, supporters now have their ambitions set even higher. Chelsea's ability to grind out wins on a consistent basis, combined with the Reds' slow start to December, as ensured that those title hopes have now been put in check. Second place at Christmas is now within touching distance, though to achieve that feat they need to end a recent run of draws at this venue.
One point from games against Bournemouth and West Ham United at the start of this month, the former a real collapse after leading comfortably and the latter equally disappointing against an out-of-sorts Hammers side, left Klopp being questioned about his longevity at Anfield. Not so much whether he would remain in place for the long term, even if links to Bayern Munich do keep surfacing, but more so his high-intensity level of play. That will be put to the test in the coming weeks, with league and cup fixtures aplenty between now and the end of January.
The sticky spell of form did come to an end with a 3-0 win over Boro five days back, thanks in large to the form of Lallana who took his goals and assists tally for the season to 12 in all. It was a comprehensive and professional away performance from the Reds; one they will take all day long if offered to them this evening at the home of their great rivals. A potentially decisive month now lies in wait, with Manchester City and Chelsea to visit Anfield prior to the end of January, while also travelling to Old Trafford between those two fixtures.
Despite slipping up recently, it is still just the one defeat in 14 and two in 16 all season for Liverpool, who have also made it to the semi-final stage of the EFL Cup. Klopp is not happy about the way his side's fixtures have been scheduled in the coming weeks, as for the first time all season really the pressure is on the Reds to balance their workload over a few competitions - the FA Cup also starting early next month - much like Arsenal and Man City have been doing all term.
A vast improvement has been made at the back when looking at the stats - a run of one clean sheet in their first 11 Premier League games being followed up by three in the last five. Up the other end, meanwhile, a tally of 40 goals is their best return after 16 top-flight games since also scoring that amount in 1978-79 - a season that ended with the Reds going all the way and lifting the title. It is all about finding the right balance, which at the moment they are managing to just about achieve.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! This will be the 227th Merseyside derby in all competitions - 194 of them coming in the league, of which Liverpool have won 74 and Everton 57. The Reds are unbeaten in the last 11 top-flight encounters, with even of those - including the last four here - ending in draws. The Toffees' 2-0 win at Goodison Park in 2010 is their only victory over their rivals in the past 19 attempts.
With kickoff now a little over five minutes away at Goodison Park, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Ronald Koeman: "We know they are different to Arsenal, they are more physical and play aggressive football. To get a good result we need to show the same as last Tuesday. If you act too nice, like we have in the past this season, you need a reaction. Sometimes it is a referee's decision and the fans are not happy, but you need that reaction from the start. It's difficult and you have to create it for yourself. Some players always have it and some need something else to get that reaction, but we need to change that as a team. We need to not start sloppy and show the spirit from the start – not because the fans are unhappy, because we are behind, or there is a decision from the referee. We can't worry about that."
Jurgen Klopp: "You need to keep your nerves, you need to be emotional. It sounds like a challenge and it is a challenge. You need to play at your best and you need to know about the motivation of the other team. Everybody always makes it bigger after the game than it is, especially if you win. If you win it then everything is good, but it causes you a lot of problems if you lose it. It's not that you talk about it for five weeks if you win it but very often it's like this if you lose it, so it's pressure of course, but I like these situations. It's not about ignoring the circumstances, it's about using the circumstances. And we spoke a little bit about this in the last few weeks, about this kind of being angry but in a sports way angry."
Koeman expected a more "physical and aggressive" opponent this evening compared to Arsenal, then, which he admits his side much match if they are to come out on top. Supporters were on the players' backs early on last week when making a slow start against the Gunners, but they soon grew into it and you would expect the fans to get fully behind their men on the pitch throughout this one. Jamie Carragher claimed it is "like a cup final" for the Toffees - he may be slightly off the mark but it is a huge fixture, regardless.
Both sets of players have now made their way out on the field of play, with kickoff at Goodison Park for this 227th Merseyside derby now just a couple of minutes away. The last four encounters here have finished all square, while Everton's last win in this one arrived in 2010. Liverpool made the favourites to come out on top, then, with a place in second at Christmas up for grabs if they come out on top.
KICKOFF! Liverpool get us up and running at Goodison Park, quickly getting the ball forward but being thwarted by opponents Everton. The hosts looking to make a quicker start than we saw last week against Arsenal.
The home side moving the ball around well at the moment, working it down the right where Coleman gets past his man and sees a cross cleared away. It is quickly played back to the Irishman, who is again denied by a player in red.
Everton the team on top in the opening five minutes of this match, then, with plenty of joy coming down that right-hand side where Coleman is constantly marauding forward. The visitors just waiting for things to settle down a little.
Another Everton attack down the right, this time through Lukaku who drifts out towards that flank and flashes the ball right across the face of goal. Nobody around to tap it in, with just a little too much on the ball.
The game a frenetic as expected in these early stages, though it is fair to say that Liverpool have yet to find their rhythm. It is the Toffees who are having more joy getting the ball into the box, without creating any real openings.
Mignolet with a terrible clearance straight to Lennon, who himself does not hit his shot too cleanly from range. It looked to fall nicely to Barkley inside the box, but he just could not adjust his feet in time to test the Belgian.
Things boil over for the first time this evening, as Firmino steps across Valencia before McCarthy lunges in on an opponent. The end result is a free kick for the hosts, which Valencia looks to be stepping up to take.
Valencia does indeed take on the free kick, which he sends straight into the wall. Really positive start to the match for Everton, this - in contrast to six days ago when the fans were on their back in the first half against Arsenal.
Incidentally, it is just the third time that Klopp has stuck with an unchanged XI in his 13 months or so as Liverpool manager. The German will not be happy with the way his side have started this one; Everton looking far more composed so far.
Liverpool finally starting to impose themselves on the ball now, as Lovren steps right up into midfield to help put some pressure on Everton's backline. Because of that the visitors can spring a counter, but Barkley fails to control Coleman's cross.
Bar a two-minute spell of pressure, Everton have been on top throughout this match so far. The only negative for Koeman is that they have yet to create a chance of any note and have seen both attempts from range blocked aside.
SHOT! Still far too easy for Everton to get the ball forward, particularly down both flanks, with this latest cross from the left being fizzed towards Lukaku. Klavan got the smallest of touches to deny the Belgian a simple finish, before Barkley blasted a yard wide of goal.
Frustration clear to see now as far as Liverpool are concerned as, having finally got their foot on the ball, Clyne holds his run but Firmino plays the ball ahead of him. Everton far more comfortable than they should be at the moment.
SHOT! First effort of the match for Liverpool, as Clyne works the ball to Lallana who in turn flicks it into the path of Wijnaldum. The Dutch midfielder was always going to take on the shot when in space 20 yards from goal, but it was well over the target.
Momentum has swung in Liverpool's favour over the past few minutes, bringing an end to what was a pretty dominant Everton start. They may rue their inability to take advantage of the Reds' slow start, failing to register an attempt on target.
STAT! It took Liverpool 27 minutes to have their first touch of the ball in Everton's box. They have just had their second through Clyne, but the ball would not sit up for a shot and Everton held strong. Momentum definitely swinging now.
Liverpool been on top for a good few minutes now but, much like Everton in the opening half-hour, they have failed to do a great deal when in possession. The gaps are there to exploit - getting in those positions is a different matter entirely.
Still no shots on target at either end, with the best chance pretty much that cross towards Lukaku a short while ago, which Klavan managed to get a touch on just in time. Everton having to do more defending than attacking since around the 30-minute mark.
CLOSE! Everton fans shout for handball when Coleman's cross is blocked aside by Henderson, but there was so little distance between ball and hand - was outside the box, regardless. Almost proved a pivotal moment as Clyne picks up Origi on the break, but his shot failed to find the target.
James McCarthy is down on the field holding his thigh, receiving some treatment from Everton's physios. Not a great deal of contact from Firmino in the challenge, more an awkward stretch by the looks of things. The midfielder should be OK to continue.
Barry has been sent out to stretch his legs, but McCarthy is fine to continue for the time being - one to keep an eye on at half time. Not a great deal of action at the moment, with Liverpool still the team seeing more of the ball.
CLOSE! Frustration for both sides as simple passes go astray. Everton do win the first corner of the game, though, with just two minutes of the half now left to play, which Funes Mori heads narrowly wide when picked out in space.
Barkley concedes a free kick when pulling back on Origi and then bringing him to ground - a decision home fans are furious about. A good cross comes in, which Stekelenburg punches clear of safety when he perhaps could have caught it.
HALF TIME: EVERTON 0-0 LIVERPOOL
Referee Mike Dean blows his whistle for half time, bringing an end to a rather tepid opening 45 minutes at Goodison Park. The first half had its moments, with both sides sending the ball narrowly wide on one occasion each, but neither keeper was tested and things can surely only get better in the second 45 in this 227th Merseyside derby.
The home side looked the more assured in a tepid opening 45 minutes, which passed by without a single shot on target - just the second time that has happened all season in the Premier League. Reds boss Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged side for only the third time since taking over last year, but his players were largely focusing on defending for the opening half-hour of the flat contest.
Everton were certainly looking more confident than in the early stages against Arsenal six days ago - a match they would ultimately go on to win - but the closest they came to an opener arrived 37 minutes in when Ramiro Funes Mori headed wide unmarked from the game's first corner. The Toffees were having plenty of joy down both flanks, with Aaron Lennon sending in a cross that Ragnar Klavan did just enough to get to ahead of Romelu Lukaku.
Liverpool actually took until the 27-minute mark before having a single touch of the ball in their opponents' box, being restricted to just one wayward Georginio Wijnaldum drive from range prior to that, while Divock Origi smashed wide when picked out by Nathaniel Clyne 10 minutes before the break. Not the great of contests so far, then, but we do at least still have a game on our hands with it all still to play for over the next 45 minutes.
Will Ronald Koeman and Jurgen Klopp be tempted to make a change at the break? The former will be the happier of the two, but an injury picked up by McCarthy may see him turn to Gareth Barry at the interval. His opposite number has one obvious candidate to come on, meanwhile - injury-free striker Daniel Sturridge.
EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Mirallas, Cleverley, Barry, Calvert-Lewin, Holgate, Kenny
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Karius, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Alexander, Woodburn, Sturridge
RESTART! We are back up and running at Goodison Park, where there has indeed been an alteration made at the break - Barry coming on for the injured McCarthy. Klopp clearly content enough by what he has seen so far.
First real piece of attacking play we have seen from Milner, who turns his man one way and the other before sending in a cross that is headed away. Incidentally, Barry's introduction in his 750th senior outing in a long-running career.
SAVE! Most exciting moment of the match so far by quite some distance, as Firmino gets the better of Funes Mori and is only denied by a big Stekelenburg stop when in on goal. From the rebound he hooks it towards Mane, who cannot connect with the ball from eight yards out.
Liverpool bossing things at the moment, making the most of Valencia's poor defensive play but failing to get a shot in when Firmino was picked out inside the box. We do at least have a shot on target, though, thanks to the Brazilian's earlier attempt.
This game has well and truly come to life in the second half - as predicted! A deep cross from the right is flicked on by Lukaku, who could only find the roof of the net. Five in eight for him against the Reds, but he has yet to add to that tally today.
YELLOW CARD! Everton have managed to get a grip on things after Liverpool's dominant start to the half. Lukaku looks to spin in behind but Lovren cynically blocks his path, earning the game's first caution as a result.
Firmino helps the ball through for Mane. Baines and Stekelenburg both race out and do enough between them to thwart the Liverpool forward, but they both appear to have picked up injuries in the process. A short stoppage in play now awaits.
Stekelenburg is still hobbling around after receiving a bit of treatment - obviously not a great sign for the hosts. Play has not yet resumed, with the Toffees just asking for some further time to make a decision over whether to keep him on.
Williams takes the goal-kick for his keeper, pretty much summing up how bad that knock was he picked up. Not really sure why Stekelenburg is still on the pitch if he can only hobble around; the visitors need to target him at every chance.
Joel Robles is now stripping down on the touchline as Stekelenburg continues to gingerly walk around his own area. Play has now stopped again and the physio is on, likely spelling the end of the Dutchman's evening - not that he wants to leave!
EVERTON SUB! Stekelenburg, despite his efforts, is helped off the pitch following that collision with his own teammate. Joel Robles now on for the remaining 25 minutes of the match, making just his second league appearance of the term.
Calvert-Lewin was actually being readied to come on prior to that forced change, with Koeman now waiting a few extra minutes before using that final change. A bright start to the second half has faded; neither side really offering much in attack since.
YELLOW CARDS! Another flashpoint in a derby of little other incident, sparked when Barkley lunged in on Henderson. Referee Mike Dean showed a yellow to the Everton midfielder, before players rushed in from both sides. Coleman appeared to be the only one cautioned for his part in the melee
Plenty of challenges flying in now, clearly fuelled by that real nasty challenge from Barkley on England teammate Henderson. Calvert-Lewin does appear to be the next player being brought on by Koeman, 10 minutes after initially planned.
EVERTON SUB! Youngster Calvert-Lewin replaces Enner Valencia with a little under a quarter of the match still to be played - plus a healthy chunk of extra time. Good faith shown in the starlet by Koeman, who wanted to bring him on prior to Stekelenburg's injury.
SAVE! Still just the one shot on target all evening - Firmino being denied by Stekelenburg early in this second half. That was the case until Funes Mori broke free and nodded straight at Mignolet from close range, at least.
A dangerous cross into the box from the right is dealt with well by Everton at the expense of a corner, which they also clear. A good evening for defenders - not say for those attacking players on the Goodison Park field. A little over 10 minutes to go.
The most acrobatic of efforts from Firmino, whose bicycle kick ends high over the bar. Klopp appears to be ready to turn to Sturridge, a little later than many perhaps expected with such an abject display from the visitors in attack.
SAVE! Superb stop from sub keeper Robles, who got across to his left to push aside Firmino's volley from inside the area. The Reds then kept hold of the ball for a good two minutes, but they could not get in another shot.
LIVERPOOL SUBS! Double change made by Klopp, bringing on Sturridge and Can for Lallana and Origi. Still plenty of time for a winner, with around five minutes of extra time also expected to be added on at Goodison Park.
A contentious moment now, as Barkley kicks away the ball in dissent but avoids a second booking. Referee Mike Dean clearly did not see the incident, because it would have been a red card regardless of how harsh it may have seemed on the face of it.
YELLOW CARD! Challenges flying in everywhere now, the latest of which earns Idrissa Gueye a caution as he goes in hard on compatriot Sadio Mane. Liverpool looking the more likely to score, but Everton have a good record of scoring late.
The fourth official has put him his board, which shows eight additional minutes! I expected five or six because of that injury to Stekelenburg, but referee Mike Dean clearly does not want this one to end. Still plenty of time to play, then!
Liverpool seeing lots of the ball but Everton do get a cross into the box which is rather wasted. The Toffees probably the happier to take full time now, with Liverpool desperate for a late winner to claim second place in the league.
Lukaku's eyes must have lit up then, as he was allowed to charge through on goal. Always had his work cut out, though, and in the end there was too much on the ball which allowed Mignolet to race out and collect with ease.
GOAL! EVERTON 0-1 LIVERPOOL (SADIO MANE)
Incredible! In the fifth of eight minutes added on at the end of the game, Sturridge hits the shot with a rather tame attempt from range. Who was there to follow it in? Sadio Mane, who had the simple task of rolling the ball over the line to surely earn all three points.
OFF THE LINE! A flare and an intruder on the pitch in the aftermath of that Liverpool goal. More good work from the Reds when play resumes, but Coleman got back to block Firmino's shot right on the line.
FULL TIME: EVERTON 0-1 LIVERPOOL
Referee Mike Dean blows for full time, bringing an end to a contest that kept its best for last! Sadio Mane settled an otherwise flat Merseyside derby, tucking home from close range after substitute Daniel Sturridge saw his scruffy shot come back off the post. Firmino was also denied on the line late on by Coleman, but a fourth clean sheet in six for the Reds helped get them over the line.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Goodison Park. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while some reaction from both camps will be posted elsewhere on the site over the next hour or so. Thanks for joining!
