Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Sadio Mane played through the pain barrier in the Reds' stunning last-gasp win over Merseyside rivals Everton on Sunday.
The Senegal international shined brightest for Klopp's men, in a game where his usually influential teammates Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were both substituted in the last 15 minutes.
Whilst Mane went on to complete the full match, Klopp claimed the 26-year-old had suffered an injury during the second half, but was determined to remain on the field and help his side to a derby-day victory.
He said (as quoted by the Liverpool Echo): "Sadio had the standout performance of the three. Yes, he had the chances and he didn't use them, but he was pretty much not (easy) to defend in one-on-one situations.
"He got better minute by minute. If you see now he is sitting in the dressing room and has a cut on his foot."
Klopp added: "Twenty minutes from the end he got it, I don't know how it happened but it was a very painful thing.
"He didn't tell me, otherwise we may have changed (the substitutions) differently. Probably not!"
With Liverpool back in Premier League action on Wednesday night when they travel to face Burnley, Klopp expressed his willingness to rotate his side after such a demanding game at the weekend.
Liverpool have scored five 90th-minute winners against Everton in the Premier League:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 2, 2018
Ronny Rosenthal
Gary McAllister
Dirk Kuyt
Sadio Mané
Divock Origi
More than against any other side in the competition's history. ⏱ pic.twitter.com/RXnrNAUduo
He revealed: "We will see what we do, but it was such an intense game today.
"We will see how we line up in the next game. We only have to think about Burnley, not Bournemouth or Napoli or United or Wolves."
Source : 90min