Liverpool 2, Everton 1 - Full time analysis

Oct 22 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

The Everton players surround the referee Mark Clattenburg

With none of the injured players from either side available to return and Alvaro Arbeloa joining Liverpool’s crocked list, neither side were at full strength. And as is so often the case on derby day, industry outweighed artistry, the likes of Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun on the periphery as both teams were at times betrayed by their indifferent form, particularly during an error-strewn first half.

The opening 15 minutes belonged to Liverpool, Voronin firing a good opening at Howard from a Benayoun cutback, but Everton soon settled and the game became more balanced, Victor Anichebe and John Arne Riise trading chances before the goals either side of the interval.

Hibbert’s departure understandably gave Liverpool greater space, Riise wastefully sending Kuyt’s cutback over the crossbar and Voronin soliciting a smart save from Howard.

Then came Kuyt’s controversy. Having overran possession on the touchline, his feet left the ground as he launched into a reckless two-footed challenge that forced Neville to take swift evasive action. Clattenburg, possibly mindful the Dutchman had not shown his studs, brandished a yellow card; replays suggested the striker was fortunate to avoid red.

And while Yakubu flashed a shot inches wide moments later, Clattenburg’s choice not to even the numbers meant Benitez’s side dominated the final half-hour.

Voronin and the infuriating Sissoko both spurned great openings before substitute Jermaine Pennant – bringing belated width to Liverpool’s probing – prompted an opportunity for Kuyt that Howard diverted into that path of Lucas, whose shot was handled on the line by Neville.

There was little else the England international could do, and the misguided jeers aimed at his direction as he trudged off would have turned to cheers had Howard got a firmer touch on the ball after guessing right with Kuyt’s penalty.

As Everton’s players surrounded Clattenburg at the final whistle, the joyous sprint by Carragher towards the away support demonstrated how much this win meant to Liverpool following the humiliating 3-0 defeat on their visit to Goodison last September.

Perhaps the rub of the green Benitez always insisted his team lacked that day was the significant factor this time around, although the manager could contend Reina didn’t have a genuine save of note to make all afternoon.

If Liverpool do make a decent fist of a championship challenge, they may well look back on Saturday as pivotal moment in their season.

For unhappy Everton, however, the game will long be remembered for the pivotal performance of one man.