Liverpool cruised to a 3-1 win over Everton in the latest installment of the Merseyside derby, moving nine points ahead of their city rivals and likely killing whatever small hopes Everton retained of finishing in the top four.
Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, and Divock Origi got the goals for the Reds, while Everton youngster Matthew Pennington scored on his first senior start of the season.
Here’s a look at five key stats from the game:
KLOPP’S DERBY MASTERY
Perhaps it’s an extension of how he gets his team to perform in big games – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a perfect record in the Merseyside derby so far.
That’s now three games, three wins for Klopp – a unique feat in the Anfield side’s history.
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool's 3-1 win over Everton means Klopp is the first Liverpool manager to win his first 3 Merseyside Derbies #LIVEVE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 1, 2017
MANE’S HOME COMFORTS
Sadio Mane always seems to show up for Liverpool in the big games – and especially in front of the Anfield crowd.
He scored two against Tottenham earlier in the season and opened the scoring on Saturday with an excellent run and finish.
Sadio Mane: Only Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku have scored more Premier League goals at home this season than Mane (9) #LIVEVE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 1, 2017
ALMOST A DREAM DERBY DEBUT
22-year-old Matthew Pennington was making his first senior start of the season for Everton, and in the derby no less.
Although he couldn’t mark the occasion with a win, he did have a dream moment – scoring his first goal senior goal in front of the Kop.
Matthew Pennington: Has scored with Everton's first shot on target for Liverpool. A decent game to score your first senior goal in! #LIVEVE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 1, 2017
LUKAKU GOES MISSING
Ahead of the derby, much was made of the fact that the best striker in either squad would be wearing Everton blue, not Liverpool red.
But Romelu Lukaku had one of his poorer games in an a Toffees shirt, and an improved second-half showing was not enough to hide the fact that the big Belgian was largely invisible for Everton.
Romelu Lukaku: Only Joel Robles (17) had fewer touches than Lukaku (18) in the first half of today's Merseyside Derby #LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/m3Xxh3tOUT
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 1, 2017
KLOPP’S INSPIRED SELECTION
With Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana both not fit to start Saturday’s game, Jurgen Klopp turned to Lucas Leiva to anchor the Liverpool midfield.
Some may have thought that moving James Milner into midfield would have been the better option, but Lucas repaid his manager’s faith.
Liverpool 3-1 Everton FT: Lucas Leiva made more tackles (9) than any other player in today's Merseyside Derby https://t.co/2eoc8oFf95 pic.twitter.com/uIETJlCv37
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) April 1, 2017
