Liverpool started the Merseyside derby with the same eleven that drew with Stoke last weekend. Javier Mascherano and Benayoun were still sidelined through injury, as Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres were again paired up front.

Although Liverpool had Everton on the back foot straight from the kick-off, chances were at a premium. Torres was on the end of Liverpool’s first opportunity following some good work from Riera out on the left-wing. The winger cross was met first-time by Fernando on the edge of the six-yard box, but his goal-bound shot was blocked by Phil Jagielka’s desperate lunge.

Everton should really have taken the lead shortly after following a mix-up in the Liverpool box after a corner. The ball broke to Tim Cahill, but the unmarked Australian sliced his shot well wide of the target. It was not going to be a good day for the Everton midfielder.

Rafa Benitez’ men, who had had the lionshare of possession in the opening 45 minutes, entered the break level; though the rewards for their dominance did not take long in arriving.

The Anfield club deservedly broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, and it was the Liverpool number ‘9’ who was on hand to open the scoring at Goodison Park. Robbie Keane raced to the byline before looping over a cross to the far post for Torres to volley past Tim Howard.

Torres coolly doubled Liverpool’s lead three minutes later. Everton defender Phil Jagielka robbed Kuyt of the ball in the box as the Dutch forward was about to shoot, however the loose ball fell to the Spaniard, who let fly with his right foot into the top corner. Tim Howard was left with no chance in the Everton goal.

The Spanish forward had the ball in the back of the net again three minutes later after a great chest down and right-footed shot into the far corner, however the referee seconds earlier had blown for a foul by Kuyt on Lescott.

Any hopes of an Everton comeback disappeared with just over ten minutes remaining as Tim Cahill was sent-off following a late challenge on Xabi Alonso. The home side pushed forward looking to claw themselves back into the game, but Liverpool easily held on for an important derby day victory.

The Anfield club now turn their attentions to the European club competition as the Reds face PSV Eindhoven on Matchday 2 of the Champions League on Wednesday evening, kick-off at 19:45 hours (BST).


- Match Stats: Everton 0–2 Liverpool

Everton: Howard, Hibbert (Saha, 63), Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Arteta, Neville, Fellaini, Osman, Cahill, Yakubu.

Booked: Yellow card to Yakubu, Neville and Fellaini, Straight Red card to Tim Cahill

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena, Kuyt, Xabi Alonso (Lucas Leiva, 85), Gerrard, Riera (Aurelio, 67), Torres, Keane (Pennant, 85).

Booked: Torres, Arbeloa, Alonso

Goals: Torres, 58, 61.