Special: Benayoun Provides The Festive Cheer For Benitez

Fifty-two minutes into a tepid, post-Christmas hangover type of match, and Anfield had finally burst into life. Liverpool's supporters were out of their seats, hollering their approval in the direction of the field of play.

Perhaps typically, considering the way in which the Reds' season has unraveled in the past few months, the crowd's delight was not precipitated by a piece of incredible skill, a fizzing long range strike, or a performance of belief and confidence from Liverpool.

No, it was a red card that had raised the roof off the Kop. Stephen Ward's dismissal may have had a farcical element to it, as referee Andre Marriner originally cautioned Christophe Berra before realizing his error and issuing a second caution in the space of five minutes to the dumbfounded Ward.

It was a decision which undoubtedly changed the game, but Mick McCarthy can not feel too hard done by. Both of Ward's bookings seemed pretty cut and dried, as the left-back dragged back first Yossi Benayoun, and then Lucas Leiva in quick succession.

In a season of misfortune, it was the break Liverpool needed. Sluggish, sloppy and nervous in the first half, the Reds were invigorated by their numerical advantage, and made their visitors pay.

Steven Gerrard has not been in great form of late, in fact some football commentators (who really should know better) have even pondered the merit of Liverpool cashing in on their skipper, but his powerful 62nd-minute header was exactly what Rafa Benitez had wished for in his Christmas stocking. Gerrard's celebration was a perfect mix of delight and relief.

But if it was the skipper whose goal set the Reds on their way, it was another familiar source who provided the spark almost from the moment the second half commenced.

Benayoun is another whose form has dipped following an injury, sustained against Birmingham on November 9, and Benitez even left him out of the starting line-up last week at Portsmouth.

Italian style | Aquilani made his first league start

But here he was the inspiration for a second-half display which, whilst far from rousing, at least gave the 41,956 hardy souls who braved the Boxing Day weather something to cheer. The Israeli fully merited his goal, albeit aided by a hefty deflection off Wolves skipper Karl Henry, which put the result beyond doubt with 12 minutes remaining.

Few in the Liverpool side are as comfortable with the ball as Benayoun, whose first weaving run of the second half drew the first yellow card for Ward, embarrassed by the Israeli's sublime quick feet.

He may have fluffed a good chance shortly before the sending-off, miscontrolling a cross from the equally impressive Emiliano Insua at the far post, but his sensible passing, willingness to run with the ball and shrewd movement were vital to the Reds as they sought to hammer home their extra-man advantage.

There were other bright spots for Benitez. Gerrard notched his first goal from open play since the end of September, and visibly grew in stature as the game wore on. Insua was a different player from the disheveled youth who has plundered through much of the last three months, whilst Anfield was finally given the chance to see Alberto Aquilani from the start of a Premier League match. The Italian was neat, tidy and classy in his 84 minutes on the pitch, and got a fine ovation from the crowd upon his withdrawal.

His replacement, exciting young Spaniard Dani Pacheco, offered another spot of promise. The 19-year-old plays without the fear and nervousness which has almost crippled some of the Reds' big names, and his ability to link the play was evident even in this six-minute cameo.

And so it is to Aston Villa on Tuesday that Liverpool will travel, a game they surely cannot afford to lose if they are to keep good the manager's promise of fourth place this season. There have been too many false dawns for Liverpool fans to get too excited about a two-goal win over a 10-man side that will likely be battling relegation come May, but few could deny Benitez and his side their touch of festive cheer.

Neil Jones, Goal.com