Liverpool, Philippe Coutinho Defeat Everton 3-1 in Merseyside Derby

Liverpool went third in the Premier League after being inspired by Philippe Coutinho to beat local rivals Everton 3-1 in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday.

Coutinho scored Liverpool's second and created the third for substitute Divock Origi to open up a seven-point gap to fifth place and strengthen the Reds' bid to play UEFA Champions League football next season. 

Liverpool went in front courtesy of Sadio Mane after less than 10 minutes. Yet the home side's lead was cancelled out when Matthew Pennington, making his first league start of the season, equalised in his derby debut.

However, Pennington's goal was as good as it got for the Toffees, who remain in seventh after this defeat. By contrast, Liverpool are on a roll and look a strong bet to book automatic qualification for the Champions League.

The only blot on their copybook was seeing Mane go off after 57 minutes with what appeared to be a knee injury. Liverpool will miss the Senegalese's direct pace if he is ruled out for a while.

BBC Sport confirmed both starting XIs for the derby:

Liverpool's saw Lucas Leiva come into midfield to help offset the loss of injured duo Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson. Meanwhile, Everton boss Ronald Koeman handed a first start of the season to Pennington, while also including 20-year-olds Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Mason Holgate.

A fiery and frenetic first half had three goals and plenty of tackles on the cusp of legality. In particular, Everton playmaker Ross Barkley made two aggressive challenges before he was eventually booked for a studs-up challenge on Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren.

BBC Match of the Day tweeted an image of the gruesome collision:

Meanwhile, Andy Kelly of the Liverpool Echo noted how Reds manager Jurgen Klopp reacted to a tackle fortunate not to draw a red card:

For all the physicality, it was a moment of true quality that saw Liverpool go in front in under eight minutes. A smart and slick one-two between Mane and Roberto Firmino released the former to run at Everton's back three.

Coutinho's dangerous late run dragged two Everton markers out of position and let Mane continue into the box, where the Senegalese dragged a low shot beyond Toffees stopper Joel Robles.

Mane has been a tremendous success since arriving from Southampton last summer. He has made a particular habit of scoring in front of his home fans, according to WhoScored.com:

Liverpool stayed in front until the 28th minute when Pennington turned in an equaliser from close range following a corner. The young defender reacted quickest to Everton skipper Phil Jagielka's uncontested flick-on at the near post.

By finding the net in his first Merseyside derby, Pennington joined a select group of players in the history of this fixture, per OptaJoe:

However, Everton's joy was short-lived when Coutinho produced some individual magic less than two minutes later. The Brazilian maestro shimmied and slalomed past several Toffees players, including goalscorer Pennington, before curling a fine shot beyond Robles into the top corner.

Coutinho's goal meant Liverpool are already as prolific as last season, according to Sky Sports Statto:

Coutinho's goal was hardly a surprise, since the Reds No. 10 was causing havoc between the lines. Koeman's decision to play three at the back and deploy only two midfielders in central holding roles afforded Liverpool too much room in the middle.

Too often the hosts were able to easily exploit gaps to find Coutinho on the half turn and in space between the Everton midfield and back three. Neither Idrissa Gueye nor Tom Davies was able to track the South American schemer.

The pair needed help, but Barkley was playing too high and also appeared to have lost his discipline, per Squawka Football:

Yet what really hurt Everton was the inability to get star striker Romelu Lukaku involved. The Belgian was denied service, but he also failed to make the ball stick on the rare occasions he received it.

This damning statistic summed up Lukaku's lack of involvement:

Barkley and Everton tried to rally after the break, but Liverpool were still 3-1 ahead on the hour. First, James Milner pinched the ball high up the pitch before feeding Coutinho. The Brazilian then played a smart reverse ball to substitute Origi, who swept his shot past Robles.

Koeman responded by introducing Gareth Barry and Enner Valencia off the bench for Davies and Pennington. The changes nearly paid immediate dividends when Holgate's deflected shot almost deceived Liverpool 'keeper Simon Mignolet.

Holgate soon spurned an even better chance following Mignolet's save, when he headed over from the penalty spot after rising to meet a cross from Leighton Baines.

Yet Everton couldn't muster much more of a threat as Lukaku remained anonymous in attack:

With the visitors lacking a cutting edge, Liverpool saw out the game and protected the result with the minimum amount of fuss.

Post-Match Reaction

Afterward, Klopp provided a worrying update on Mane, during an interview with BBC 5 live Sport's Juliette Ferrington:

Klopp appeared to rule out Mane for Wednesday's game against Bournemouth at Anfield, per Sam Williams of Liverpool's official website: "When I saw him in the dressing room, it didn't look like he'll be ready for Wednesday."

The Reds' chief also refused to be drawn on some of the tough tackling in the derby. Instead, Klopp urged the press to form their own conclusions and speak up, per Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo:

Koeman was equally defiant when it was put to him his side was off the pace, per the Liverpool Echo's David Prentice: "Huh. If you start with a question like that, we can stop."

Instead, Koeman took to Twitter to declare himself proud of Everton's performance:

Koeman may not find many who would agree about the Toffees' efforts at Anfield. However, Klopp is right to endorse the quality of his burgeoning Liverpool squad, but he'll also know how costly Mane's injury could be as the race for the Champions League spots gathers pace.