A terrific team display from Rafa's Reds earned them a fantastic 3 points against their bitter rivals, and takes us to 4th place in the Premier League, as Manchester City lost 2-1 at Hull and Spurs and Villa played out a 0-0 draw in the Capital.
As is the case in most derby matches, especially the Merseyside derby, it was a scrappy game, but what it lacked in quality it made up for in sheer grit, determination and fight. It was a throwback to the glory days of the 70s and the 80s as tasty tackles where flying in all over the park, as both sets of managers, players and supporters were desperate for 3 crucial points.
Both teams headed into the encounter in good form. Everton were undefeated in the league since November, when Liverpool beat them 2-0 at Goodison Park thanks to a Joseph Yobo own goal and a tap in from Dirk Kuyt. Liverpool had also hit a purple patch of form recently, with 6 games undefeated and 5 clean sheets. In those 6 games, Liverpool picked up vital victories away to Villa and at home to Spurs.
Everton took the early intiative, with the Reds defence having to deal with several corners, however they failed to carve open a real opportunity. Agger blazed high into the Kop from 12 yards out, and Baines struck a cultured free kick which Reina dealt with well, as both teams struggled for superiority.
The tone had been set early on as Carragher stormed into a strong, but fair challenge on Pienaar. The South African reacted by commiting nasty fouls throughout, which eventually earned him the red card he deserved. Pienaar flew into a horrible tackle on Kuyt, and then went in extremely high on Javier Mascherano. He was given a yellow card for this challenge, but a straight red would have been justified.
On 33 minutes the Reds went down to 10 men as Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who has been a rock at the back over recent weeks, was sent off for a two footed tackle on Everton's Marouane Fellaini. It was a poor decision by referee Martin Atkinson as Fellaini stomped on Kyrgiakos' ankle in the collision. If any player was to see red, it should have been Everton's number 25, not Kyrgiakos.
This didn't stop Liverpool going on to put the away side under pressure, and they nearly took the lead towards the end of the half as Gerrard's beautiful free kick clipped the cross bar from 25 yards.
Everton had an unbelievable chance to take the lead going into half time. The USA international Landon Donovan sent a ball into the area and it ricocheted off Mascherano into the path of Cahill, who's instinctive header skimmed just over the bar and into the Evertonians in the Anfield Road end.
It was a match defining moment as if Everton had gone into the break a goal up, and with an extra player, it could have been game over for Liverpool.
Liverpool came out for the second half desperate to claim the all important first goal, and it nearly came on 53 minutes when young French forward David Ngog smashed a deflected shot just wide after latching onto a pass from Maxi Rodriguez. Liverpool weren't to be denied though as they took the lead thanks to Dirk Kuyt a minute later. Gerrard sent a corner into the penalty area and Kuyt nodded the ball into the net after it had travelled through a mass of bodies. Everton's keeper Tim Howard should have done much better but no Red cared as celebration engulfed Anfield.
The tension had been building up throughout the game, as many vicious tackles were being made, and this tension finally boiled over in the middle of the second half as a mass melee resulted after Gerrard caught Steven Pienaar following a strong challenge. Both teams reacted angrily, with Tim Howard the only player not to get involved in the arguments and fighting that ensued. This was a proper derby!
Everton pushed and strived for a winner as the game came to a close, but never really looked like beating Reina in the Reds goal. Yakubu tested Reina with a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but the Spanish stopper managed to pull off an impressive save. Reina truly is one of our best players, as he showed again on the weekend. He is fully concentrated every 90 minutes, even if he is largely inactive, as was the case against Everton.
Pienaar was sent off in injury time after picking up a second yellow card for jumping into Steven Gerrard. This game truly lived up to its reputation as one of the fiercest matches in England. 2 red cards demonstrated why this fixture has more sending offs than any other.
Liverpool have picked up a vital 3 points, in what was another "must win" match, and can now look forward to Wednesday's trip to the Emirates with optimism as Arsenal's poor form, and Liverpool's impressive form, could see the Reds pick up more points.
To conclude, i would like to offer my condolences to the familes of the 23 people who died during the Munich Air Disaster. It was 52 years ago on Saturday 6th February when many of the "Busby Babes" along with supporters and journalists died after their plane crashed on its third attempt to take off. They were returning from a European Cup tie in Belgrade. They will never be forgotten.
YNWA
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