Wayne Rooney's first Merseyside derby goal earned Everton a 1-1 draw at Anfield as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp's selection gamble backfired.
It was a moment the 32-year-old had dreamed about ever since making his Toffees debut way back in August 2002 but, having had to wait after more than a decade at Manchester United, when it came it was something of a gift.
The pent-up frustration was evident in the way he smashed home a 77th-minute penalty - awarded after Dejan Lovren needlessly fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin - to cancel out Mohamed Salah's brilliant first-half strike and his celebration in front of the visiting fans was equally as exhuberant.
New Everton manager Sam Allardyce's game plan had been an unambitious one but he would argue the ends justified the means as his tactics nullified a Liverpool attack - missing the rested Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino - which has scored 32 goals in the previous nine matches.
The Toffees may still be searching for their first win at Anfield since 1999 but this felt like a victory considering how much territory they conceded.
Pick of the quotes
Jurgen Klopp: "I saw only one team today to be honest, only one playing to win for sure, I thought we have to make more... I can't believe with all the challenges, we gave no fouls, again there's (Gylfi) Sigurdsson with a foul that should be a red card. Always there is one really nasty challenge.
"But there is only one team playing and you give such a penalty, unbelievable. Yes. Calvert-Lewin makes a step in this direction and even then there is nothing. You give the penalty then one team can celebrate and we can't.
"I told the referee I didn't understand this, I didn't use one swearing word, but I can't believe in a game like this, with one team trying for 95 minutes, everything to win and the other team are not even in our box, I don't know if they had a shot aside from the penalty. Then you open the door for them like this. In my understanding it is not okay."
Wayne Rooney: "I think it's a fantastic point for us. Liverpool are a fantastic team with very good individual players. We knew it would be a difficult game. We had to be patient, keep our shape.
"We knew they would have a few chances, every game they've been scoring goals. We defended brilliantly and had two or three moments on the break. We had to make the most of them and thankfully we did with the goal.
"I just had to keep myself composed. I think Lovren kicked the ball away so I had a bit of time to compose myself.
"All I kept thinking was, 'You can't miss this penalty, you just can't!'. It was such a big moment in the game. I was delighted with it.
"I practiced penalties yesterday and thankfully I caught it right. It looked a clear penalty, he pushed him over. The referee made a great decision."
Mo Salah's first #MerseysideDerby goal 👌 pic.twitter.com/QChttYmkzO
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) December 10, 2017
Story of Sky Bet odds
- Pre-match #RequestABet - Salah & Rooney to score and Lovren & Gueye to be carded at 50/1
- Draw was as big as 14/1 in play
- Rooney next goalscorer was as big as 33/1 in play
Opta facts
- Liverpool have equalled their longest-ever unbeaten run against Everton in all competitions, 15 games, set between March 1972 and April 1978).
- Everton have lost just one of their last six Premier League games (W3 D2), after losing six of the eight before that (W1 D1).
- The Toffees posted a 21% possession figure in the game, their lowest-ever in a Premier League since 2003/04 (when Opta started recording possession).
- Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 23 goals for Liverpool in all competitions this season (in 24 games), two more than any other player in the Premier League.
- Salah has scored 19 goals in 24 appearances for Liverpool this season (all competitions), as many as he netted for Roma last term in 41 games
- Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in his last six Premier League starts against Liverpool.
- Rooney has been directly involved in five goals in his last three Premier League games (4 goals, one assist), one more than he managed in his previous 11 with Everton this season.
