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Liverpool Analysis: Dirk Kuyt's Dutch courage ensures no Greek tragedy for ten-man Reds
Big-game players step up their game for Rafa Benitez
| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.00 | Draw £55.00 | Brighton £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £11.80 | Draw £55.00 | Brighton £110.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.86 | Draw £50.00 | Brighton £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.50 | Draw £55.00 | Brighton £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.30 | Draw £54.00 | Brighton £97.00 |
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6 Feb 2010 15:27:00
By Neil Jones | Liverpool Correspondent
Rafa Benitez may not have seen the disciplined and level-headed display he would have undoubtedly demanded from his Liverpool side, but there is no way the Spaniard will be complaining about sealing the double over an Everton side who promised much, but ultimately delivered precious little, despite playing almost an hour with an extra man.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos must have given Benitez palpitations when he launched into an ill-advised, two-footed lunge at the Toffees' inspirational midfielder Marouane Fellaini, but Dirk Kuyt produced a display that will earn him a place in derby folklore, and in the end they made it seven Premier League games unbeaten with relative ease.
In truth, when Kyrgiakos left the ground 34 minutes into this 213th Merseyside derby, Liverpool were already in danger of losing their heads. Jamie Carragher had set the tone within the first minute with a robust challenge on Steven Pienaar, but it was the South African who had incensed the Anfield crowd with a shocking challenge on Javier Mascherano that was, surprisingly, punished only with a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson.
Liverpool's response was immature. Carragher entered the book for a silly challenge down by the Everton corner flag, and when Fellaini robbed Lucas and bore down on Kyrgiakos, the ground held its collective breath. The Belgian was not entirely innocent - his challenge was over the ball and left Kyrgiakos requiring a pair of stitches - but the Greek defender could have few complaints about his dismissal. X-rays have revealed no break for Fellaini, but he was lucky.
It would always be tough to see a flowing game of football after that. Benitez resisted the urge to send on Martin Skrtel or Philipp Degen as a defensive replacement - perhaps surprisingly given his overstated reputation for negativity - opting instead to shift Mascherano to right-back and Carragher infield.
It worked a treat, Mascherano nullified Pienaar superbly, and Carragher quickly found his passionate approach far more suited to the centre of defence, as he contested every ball as if it was his last. Alongside him, Daniel Agger was a picture of composure in a powderkeg atmosphere.
And in Kuyt, Benitez has at least one player on whom he can always rely. The Dutchman may possess an infuriating first touch, and he was another in danger of seeing red as he harangued Atkinson after receiving a ball in the face from Fellaini, but he also boasts a work-rate that shames most in the country.
His game was encapsulated in a nutshell at the start of the second half. First he glanced a beautifully whipped Steven Gerrard corner past a static Tim Howard for what proved to be the decisive goal, then he was back in his own penalty area, heading to safety after Landon Donovan - Everton's best performer on the day - had threatened to pave the way for an equaliser.
His performance had the Kop in raptures, and others responded. Gerrard has been well below his best this season, but found his form here, and led by example in his more traditional central midfield role. His booking, for a rugged clearance which took Pienaar with it, was the only blot on his copybook.
Even Ryan Babel - often as lethargic as he is quick - bought into the derby-day ethos. On for the impressive David Ngog in the second half, the Dutchman showed his desire to seize what most believe to be his last chance at Anfield, and encapsulated the feeling of team trumping individual for Liverpool here.
David Moyes will be frustrated at his side's shot-shy nature, especially in the second half. Even more so after Pienaar picked up a second yellow card after a nothing clash with Gerrard in stoppage time. The Blues may point to a Tim Cahill chance on the stroke of half-time, which the Australian headed over, but the truth is the 11 men did not do enough to get a result.
A win for Everton would have taken them to within six points (with a game in hand) of their neighbours, but Moyes will have been disappointed by the lack of passion shown - especially in the second half. Louis Saha in particular looked disinterested and offered not even an intermittent threat.
Benitez will take his side to Arsenal next Wednesday looking to continue the snowball effect which has lifted his side right back into the mix for fourth spot, it might not have been pretty from Liverpool today, but since when have derby games been judged on aesthetics?
Rafa Benitez may not have seen the disciplined and level-headed display he would have undoubtedly demanded from his Liverpool side, but there is no way the Spaniard will be complaining about sealing the double over an Everton side who promised much, but ultimately delivered precious little, despite playing almost an hour with an extra man.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos must have given Benitez palpitations when he launched into an ill-advised, two-footed lunge at the Toffees' inspirational midfielder Marouane Fellaini, but Dirk Kuyt produced a display that will earn him a place in derby folklore, and in the end they made it seven Premier League games unbeaten with relative ease.
In truth, when Kyrgiakos left the ground 34 minutes into this 213th Merseyside derby, Liverpool were already in danger of losing their heads. Jamie Carragher had set the tone within the first minute with a robust challenge on Steven Pienaar, but it was the South African who had incensed the Anfield crowd with a shocking challenge on Javier Mascherano that was, surprisingly, punished only with a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson.
Liverpool's response was immature. Carragher entered the book for a silly challenge down by the Everton corner flag, and when Fellaini robbed Lucas and bore down on Kyrgiakos, the ground held its collective breath. The Belgian was not entirely innocent - his challenge was over the ball and left Kyrgiakos requiring a pair of stitches - but the Greek defender could have few complaints about his dismissal. X-rays have revealed no break for Fellaini, but he was lucky.
It would always be tough to see a flowing game of football after that. Benitez resisted the urge to send on Martin Skrtel or Philipp Degen as a defensive replacement - perhaps surprisingly given his overstated reputation for negativity - opting instead to shift Mascherano to right-back and Carragher infield.
It worked a treat, Mascherano nullified Pienaar superbly, and Carragher quickly found his passionate approach far more suited to the centre of defence, as he contested every ball as if it was his last. Alongside him, Daniel Agger was a picture of composure in a powderkeg atmosphere.
And in Kuyt, Benitez has at least one player on whom he can always rely. The Dutchman may possess an infuriating first touch, and he was another in danger of seeing red as he harangued Atkinson after receiving a ball in the face from Fellaini, but he also boasts a work-rate that shames most in the country.
His game was encapsulated in a nutshell at the start of the second half. First he glanced a beautifully whipped Steven Gerrard corner past a static Tim Howard for what proved to be the decisive goal, then he was back in his own penalty area, heading to safety after Landon Donovan - Everton's best performer on the day - had threatened to pave the way for an equaliser.
His performance had the Kop in raptures, and others responded. Gerrard has been well below his best this season, but found his form here, and led by example in his more traditional central midfield role. His booking, for a rugged clearance which took Pienaar with it, was the only blot on his copybook.
Even Ryan Babel - often as lethargic as he is quick - bought into the derby-day ethos. On for the impressive David Ngog in the second half, the Dutchman showed his desire to seize what most believe to be his last chance at Anfield, and encapsulated the feeling of team trumping individual for Liverpool here.
David Moyes will be frustrated at his side's shot-shy nature, especially in the second half. Even more so after Pienaar picked up a second yellow card after a nothing clash with Gerrard in stoppage time. The Blues may point to a Tim Cahill chance on the stroke of half-time, which the Australian headed over, but the truth is the 11 men did not do enough to get a result.
A win for Everton would have taken them to within six points (with a game in hand) of their neighbours, but Moyes will have been disappointed by the lack of passion shown - especially in the second half. Louis Saha in particular looked disinterested and offered not even an intermittent threat.
Benitez will take his side to Arsenal next Wednesday looking to continue the snowball effect which has lifted his side right back into the mix for fourth spot, it might not have been pretty from Liverpool today, but since when have derby games been judged on aesthetics?
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