It’s been a while since Liverpool last won in a Merseyside Derby, but it seemed they were saving it all for a special occasion, demolishing Everton 4-0 in a fantastic performance of counter attacking with goals from Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge (twice) and Luis Suarez, keeping them in the Champions race and nudging their rivals out of it.
It’s been almost two years since Liverpool last won a league match against Everton (April 2012), and after three consecutive draws came the most one-sided match in this fixture since November 1982, when Liverpool beat Everton 5-0 with a hat-trick from Ian Rush.
Things began quite level and even between the two teams through the first 10-15 minutes, but Liverpool’s speed up front and more organized midfield and defensive form helped them take control as the match progressed, resulting in a fantastic header from an unmarked Steven Gerrard in the 21st minute to give them a lead off a corner kick.
Everton are an attacking side now, but without too much thought, abandoning defense and using a very high line against a front trio that included Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling. Too quick and too smart for Everton to handle, especially with their midfielder too lazy to help out. It resulted in two more goals before half time, both by Sturridge, getting assists from Philippe Coutinho and Kolo Toure.
The second half was pretty much one long patch of garbage time with Everton enjoying possession but not doing much with it. Liverpool scored very quickly after the break with Luis Suarez getting a goal he deserved for his work and passing in the first half. Sturridge had a chance to complete a hat trick from the penalty spot after Sterling made the most of a bad rushing out from Tim Howard (Sterling was probably offside as well), but sent the ball over the bar. He later was too selfish for his own good in front of goal, waiting too long to score by himself or pass to two open players, missing out on a chance for what would have been a famous win.
Everton now fall four points behind Liverpool at 4th and possibly suffer a huge morale blow for the rest of the season in their matches against rivals from the upper half of the table. Liverpool are still fourth, but enjoy Arsenal dropping points (hoping the same happens to Chelsea and Manchester City), putting them six points behind the current leaders.