Liverpool FC Perspective: Destruction of the Derby!

Article by e-Liverpool Correspondent Emma Rhodes

Tuesday night saw the 222nd Merseyside Derby return to Anfield as Liverpool faced Everton in the Premier League. Liverpool stood only 1 point above Everton in the Premier League table so it was predicted to be a tight game filled with nerves, but this proved to not be the case...

From the first whistle the game looked fierce with both teams were desperate to win after their 3-3 draw late in November. Neither team set up with a strong defence so good offence was the order of the day to try and create as many chances as possible.

Everton's Barkley and Liverpool's Henderson both had shots within the first 3 minutes of the game, showing the determination from both Reds and Blues. Liverpool started to look the better team, creating more chances from Luis Suarez and Henderson was not quitting any time soon but Everton were still gaining good possession.

Gerrard and Sterling both had good attempts and Coutinho does a great job at setting the players up, and was himself unlucky not to finish. At a Liverpool corner Evertonians throw coins at a Liverpool player, but never mind as Steven Gerrard scores a fantastic header!

Gerrard Celebrates

The goal is celebrated by Gerrard who goes mad and runs like a possessed man over to Suarez to celebrate with the team as Skrtel jumps over everyone. Steven Gerrard has now scored 165 goals in 653 appearances with Liverpool Football Club. Lukaku is seen down in front of the goal holding his foot as he is strolled off the pitch after a collision with Barry.

Everton were consequently determined to bring a goal back through two attempts and a poor dive from Stone but Liverpool were not overly threatened as Daniel Sturridge scores after a great ball by Coutinho and left four of the Everton defence running behind. Sturridge’s 5th goal in 5 games and 15th in an injury-hit season making it 2-0 in just the 34th minute.

Just as Everton thought they were having a bad game, Sturridge reinforces that theory and scores another goal thanks to the good work of Coutinho! Sturridge has now scored two goals in two minutes.

SAS

Now the derby is in full flow, the cards began to slowly come out as Pienaar gains a yellow card just before half time.

As the second half begins the pace appears a little slower but Everton are looking more up for it with greater possession and making some good passes. Just as Liverpool fans might have began to worry about conceding, Luis Suarez makes a great run and puts it in the net, making it 4-0 Liverpool!

Before Liverpool have time to celebrate, Martin Atkinson rewards Liverpool with a penalty. Steven Gerrard offers the penalty to Daniel Sturridge as he aims for a derby day hatrick. Gasps from the crowd as the opportunity is wasted and it goes well above the bar and into the Kop.

Everton start to show their frustration, Barry nearly gets his second yellow card of the night. Rodgers then decides to take Sturridge off as he has only recently returned from injury and is replaced by Moses. Sturridge is clearly not happy at the decision and asks Rodgers why he has been taken off and gets the Rodgers brush off. Coutinho comes off for Alberto, also with just 11 minutes left. Mirallas at this point really started to let his emotion show as the games comes to an end.

Gerrard shows how much the goals mean to him on the same day he makes generous donation to the Hillsborough charity of £96,000 which he did not want to be made public.

Liverpool's 4-0 win last night is their biggest Merseyside derby victory since a 5-0 win at Goodison Park in 1982. I personally thought Jon Flanagan had a great game but credit is deserved by the whole team including Simon Mignolet, who seemed to keep his fluttering to a minimum. Sturridge apologised for his reaction to being brought off and explains to the media that it is his emotions running high and he hopes he did not offend anyone. Gerrard praises whole team calling them magnificent. Liverpool (and Everton) will not be forgetting this match any time soon!