Sadio Mane struck in stoppage time as Liverpool took the spoils in the 227th Merseyside derby with a late a 1-0 win over Everton.

The Senegalese forward turned home the decisive goal after substitute Daniel Sturridge had seen his shot trickle back off Joel Robles’ left-hand post.

Ronald Koeman’s side had dominated large parts of the first half but failed to continue that ascendancy as the Reds seized proceedings after the interval.

The hosts had to change goalkeepers when Maarten Stekelenburg was forced off early in the second half after picking up a knock in a collision as he and Leighton Baines tried to thwart Mane.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park…

Mane will be sorely missed next month

 

For months now it has been Anfield’s great conundrum – how ever will Liverpool cope when Sadio Mane is out of action in January?

They are no closer to discovering the answer after the Senegal international’s maiden and glittering outing in the bear pit that is a Merseyside derby.

Throughout Mane was a continued source of energy for the Reds at Goodison Park, as he has been ever since his summer arrival from Southampton.

His impending departure for the Africa Cup of Nations will pose a fresh challenge for Klopp.

Barry now a bane for the Blues

 

Gareth Barry has been the ultimate professional and turned back the clock during his time at Everton.

But the veteran midfielder’s twilight years have become increasingly hastened in recent weeks and proved as much in his latest record-breaking appearance.

In a 750th career outing – his 610th in the Premier League – the 35-year-old’s limitations became increasingly apparent when he replaced James McCarthy.

His Everton team mate had provided an energy which not only prevented the game from getting away from the hosts but also afforded them some control.

It was telling that their play slowed and they were forced to drop deeper when McCarthy was forced off through injury during the half-time interval.

Barry may be second only to Ryan Giggs in appearances but his on-field presence merely hastened what proved to be the inevitable in Liverpool’s winning goal.

Awarding him a one-year extension now seems an ill-advised move in hindsight.

Time to give up the ghost on Barkley?

 

Ronald Koeman has regularly torn his hair out over Ross Barkley.

No matter how the Everton manager tries, his homegrown talent does not seem to remain on-message for any longer than a solitary and fleeting game.

How much longer can the Dutchman’s patience wear with a player so frustrating?

Derbies are the most fiercely contested games in Premier League history – with more red cards than any other – and Barkley almost added to the statistic.

He was often too rash; notably pulling back Divock Origi deep in his own half before the interval and, notably, lunging in on Jordan Henderson afterwards.

Red cards have been dished out for lesser challenges and Mike Dean clearly gave him the benefit of the doubt but Barkley still continued to skate on thin ice.

Deep into added time, Koeman gave the England midfielder an arctic blast as he inexplicably sent a cross sailing into the Gwladys Street stand.

It feels as though Barkley’s spotlight is already on borrowed time. Few would begrudge or blame Koeman for soon putting him out to pasture.

Sturridge cameo worth the risk

 

Klopp made a maiden trip to Goodison Park with a cast-iron refusal to take calculated a gamble on the fitness of one Liverpool player in Joel Matip.

The other, Daniel Sturridge, paid off better than the German could have envisaged after his late cameo paved the way for Mane’s match-winning strike.

That the England striker had only completed two training sessions since returning from a calf problem picked up last month made his exploits all the more impressive.

He may not be able to set the Reds’ front line ablaze from the first whistle, nor consistently week upon week, but Sturridge’s value cannot be underestimated.