Liverpool did the double over their neighbours with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Anfield. A second-half header from Kuyt was enough to secure a vital league triumph for the Reds who were forced to play for almost an hour with one man less.

Rafael Benitez made three changes for the derby meeting with Everton at Anfield with Daniel Agger, Lucas Leiva and Maxi Rodriguez returning to the starting line-up.

It was a frenetic start to the contest as the both teams set their sights on maximum points. Everton, who were unbeaten in nine league outings, settled quickly against a Liverpool side eyeing a top-four finish.

In an entertaining opening neither Liverpool or Everton could find a way through their opponents backline. Tim Cahill blasted over for the visitors from a good position and Daniel Agger did likewise from just inside the Everton box. Reina had to be alert to push over a curling effort from Baines as Everton continued to probe the Red goal from outside the box.

The home team were reduced to ten-men on 34 minutes when Kyrgiakos was shown a red card for a challenge on Everton midfielder Fellaini. Both players went hard on each other but it was the Red centre-back who was given his marching orders by the referee.

The best chances for both sides came at the end of the first-half. Steven Gerrard struck the bar with a curling free-kick whilst at the other end Tim Cahill headed over from six yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Following the restart Everton failed to make the one-man advantage count, and the Blues were punished when Kuyt opened the scoring. The Dutchman nodded a Gerrard corner past Tim Howard on 55 minutes to hand the Anfield club the lead.

The visitors were denied an equaliser as Reina brilliantly saved from Yakubu. The second-half substitutes left-foot shot was tipped over the crossbar by the Spaniard.

It was backs to the wall defending from Liverpool in the final stages as Everton pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Reina was called into action to deny Cahill as the Blues desperately pumped long balls into the Liverpool box.

Pienaar was shown a second yard card late in stoppage-time but Evertons equaliser never arrived as the Reds deservedly held on for three valuable points.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 1-0 Everton

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt (Skrtel, 90+6), Gerrard, Maxi (Aurelio, 90+2), Ngog (Babel, 63)

Booked: Kuyt, Carragher

Sent-off: Kyrgiakos (Red card)

Goals: Kuyt 55

Everton: Howard, Neville, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Fellaini (Arteta, 40), Donovan, Osman (Anichebe, 72) Cahill, Pienaar, Saha (Yakubu, 72)

Booked: Heitinga, Anichebe

Sent-off: Pienaar (two yellow cards)