LIVERPOOL, England -- A stoppage-time winner, a clean sheet and the ability to overcome a physical challenge in a hostile environment: If there was ever an identikit performance to hammer out title credentials, Liverpool produced it against Everton at Goodison Park.
The eruption among away fans in the stands, following Sadio Mane's winning goal four minutes into the eight added by referee Mike Dean at the end of the game, summed up the importance of this victory, although the passion did cross the line with three flares thrown onto the pitch from the Liverpool enclosure and three separate instances of supporters running onto the pitch.