Only a harsh decision to penalise Kuyt for a push on Joleon Lescott then denied Torres a hat-trick, the effort coming just moments after Kuyt himself had a goal correctly chalked off.

The ball was in the Everton net four times in six minutes.

That flurry of activity gave Liverpool an advantage their first-half possession had hinted at without ever seriously threatening the Everton goal, the visitors dominant in the midfield battle that so often settles these games.

Javier Mascherano’s absence compelled Steven Gerrard to produce a disciplined performance that meant there was no chance of the Liverpool skipper being substituted in the same circumstances to the previous year’s Goodison derby.

And with Xabi Alonso’s passing dictating proceedings and Albert Riera and the tireless Kuyt busying themselves down the flanks, Benitez’s side slowly smothered the life out of their hosts.

It was an eye-opener for Everton’s club record signing Marouane Fellaini, pitched alongside Phil Neville in central midfield.

Although improved on his early showings and close to a late consolation goal, the Belgian was off the pace and is going to need time before he can start justifying his price tag.

But time is something Everton don’t have right now. Dumped out of the Carling Cup in midweek and now soundly beaten by their local rivals, a season-defining eight-day spell culminates in the UEFA Cup return leg at Standard Liege on Thursday.

And while it’s too much to state Everton’s campaign depends on victory in Belgium, the fall-out from their early European exit three years ago remains fresh in the memory of many.

Fellaini, of course, is ineligible for that game.

Yet the early teething problems of Segundo Castillo, dropped to the bench after being hauled off at half-time in his previous two games, underline the soft centre that has hampered Everton since the departure of Lee Carsley.

Indeed, the pre-match comments of Moyes insisting Liverpool had been the aggressors in recent meetings was perhaps more an attempt to fire up his own team than anything else.

Defeat in last year’s Goodison derby proved a catalyst for the remainder of Everton’s campaign, and Moyes must hope Saturday follows suit. Unlike 11 months ago, however, Everton could have no complaints. Pepe Reina didn’t have a save to make, although things may have been different had Tim Cahill managed to gain a proper connection after Mikel Arteta’s 14th-minute corner caused panic in the Liverpool area.

Moyes will be alarmed at the capitulation of his team once they went behind. Everton’s players appear not to have complete confidence in each other, an uncertainty the Goodison manager later admitted isn’t being helped by the ongoing speculation over his new contract. Only Jagielka emerged with any credit.

Yakubu, toiling with increasing disinterest as a lone striker, endured a miserable afternoon that was encapsulated by an embarrassing attempt to hoodwink the referee when tumbling in the vicinity of Martin Skrtel, the only award from which was a yellow card.

Louis Saha’s impressive late cameo, during which he hammered a blistering 20-yard shot inches wide, gave rise to a debate over whether the French striker should have been on from the start.

Certainly, with Everton having gleaned just one point from 24 against the big four last season, they can only ever expect to break into that elite group once they start taking the game to such opponents, particularly at Goodison.

Their ignominy was made complete 10 minutes from time when Cahill, still fuming from an early altercation with Alvaro Arbeloa, was dismissed for a heavy challenge on Alonso.

Harsh? Possibly. But the Australian didn’t help himself by walking away from Riley and giving the over-officious referee an excuse to brandish the 17th red card in 33 Merseyside derbies in the Premier League era.

Clearly, some things don’t change.

Just ask Liverpool and their incredible striker.