Mane nets 13th EPL goal, sustains injury

Senegal international Sadio Mane on Saturday netted his 13th goal of the season in the English Premier League as Liverpool clinched a 3-1 win over Everton in a Merseyside derby at Anfield.

The victory brightened the hopes of the Reds from finishing among the top-four.

Mane gave the hosts an early lead in the eighth minute when he played a one-two with Roberto Firmino and finished off an angled run with a shot into the far corner.

The Teranga Lions winger has scored in both Merseyside derbies this season, the first player to do that since Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in 2013-14.

Matthew Pennington equalised for the Toffees in the 28th minute before Philippe Coutinho restored lead for the Reds three minutes later when he beat two players and curled a shot into the top corner.

The Brazilian in the second half then set up substitute Divock Origi – on for the injured Mane – to power in Liverpool’s third goal in the 60th minute.

However, Mane had to be replaced in the second half by Origi as a result of injury having hurt himself in an attempt to win the ball off Leighton Baines and, when he tried to put weight on his leg after treatment, collapsed.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp afer the derby said Mane is doubtful for the next match against Bournemouth saying: “I’ve met Mane in the dressing room. It doesn’t look too good”.

The result leaves the Reds six points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United – who have two games in hand – while Everton are seven points off the top four having played more matches than their rivals.

Liverpool hired a private jet to bring Coutinho and fellow Brazil international Firmino back after their country’s win over Paraguay in midweek.