Tony Evans: Why Late Goals Define Liverpool and Dismantle Opponents

Everton dread them, rivals can't handle them, the Reds' late winners are psychological weapons.

The way some people talk about late winning goals, you’d think they were a bad thing. Conceding and dropping points as the clock ticks down is a huge problem. Last-gasp winners are fantastic and have a psychological impact that goes way beyond individual matches.

Right now, there are Evertonians living in dread about what’s coming their way in the derby at Anfield. It would almost be a relief to them if Liverpool were 3-0 up after 20 minutes.

If they’re level with the final whistle approaching, the sense of fear in their part of the Anfield Road end will be off the scale. That sense of inevitability crushes souls.

And that’s only in the stands. During Manchester United’s dominant period, the phrase ‘Fergie time’ was bandied around frequently. The phenomenon was real.

Fear in the Stands, Pressure on the Pitch

It was the same with Liverpool in the 1970s and 80s. Despite what Arsenal fans think, it’s neither a function of corrupt referees or some kind of juju.

You talk to players past and present and they’ll tell you that one of the hardest things in the game is to cope with relentless pressure. A ball into the box that they’d dispatch with ease in the first minute messes with their minds when it arrives in the 90th. As time crawls by, defenders become acutely aware that a single mistake will squander an hour and a half’s good work. Defences drop deeper, legs feel heavier and brains freeze. Ask Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios, who conceded a needless corner on Wednesday night. Or Burnley’s Hannibal, who hung out an arm last Sunday.

So bollocks to all this “it’s unsustainable” stuff about late goals. The first five competitive games of the season have laid down a marker that has been noted across the Premier League and Europe. If you think you can hang on by your fingertips against Liverpool, then you’ll end up screwed. Arne Slot’s team may well surrender a lead, they may give you room on the break but you’d better have a cushion in the closing moments or they’ll cut your throat. Not when you least expect it, but when you most expect it.

You’re never safe against Liverpool. The mystique has been established. The late, late show is coming to your penalty area soon. Be very scared. Especially if you’re Everton.

It’s Not Luck, It’s Legacy

I have many derby memories that make me smile. One from nine years ago at Goodison illustrates the point about fear and pressure.