The Reds downed Everton 2-0 on Saturday afternoon in the 216th edition of the Merseyside Derby. Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez scored second half goals for the victorious visitors in a game that was tempered by unseasonable heat and an unjust red card.
Referee Martin Atkinson dismissed Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell in the 23rd minute for a tackle that was hard, but fair. Reduced to ten men, the hosts tired as the game progressed and it was only a matter of time before Liverpool turned its numerical advantage into an advantage in the column that matters most. Carroll's 71st minute strike was enough to stun Everton and Suarez delivered the knockout blow just over ten minutes later.
Everton came into the match in an envious mood –- manager David Moyes has assembled his squad on a shoestring budget in contrast to Liverpool's recent investment -– and opened the game with greater levels of energy and drive than the visitors'. Before Rodwell's ejection, the Toffees outshot the Reds by 6-1 and looked far more likely to score the opening goal.
There was no apparent malice in Rodwell's tackle, which Atkinson punished with a red card. The highly-rated 20-year-old slid for a loose ball and caught Suarez with a follow through. He left the field in disbelief at Atkinson's decision and the visitors eventually capitalized on this decisive moment.
Liverpool constructed attacks further up the field, as Everton retreated progressively deeper into its defensive shell. This territorial advantage was behind its first genuine scoring opportunity. In the 43rd minute Everton defender Phil Jagielka fouled Suarez in his own penalty area after the Uruguayan fooled him with his trademark turn. Atkinson awarded the penalty and up stepped Dirk Kuyt, who relishes scoring against his blue neighbors.
It was the perfect moment for the dependable Dutchman to celebrate his restoration to the starting lineup, but he preferred placement over power and goalkeeper Tim Howard saved the penalty.
Soon after, Charlie Adam hit the crossbar in stoppage time and Everton looked like it might regroup and withstand the inevitable second-half onslaught. They did just that for much of the second half. Liverpool threatened with two successive headers from Carroll in the 53rd minute, but failed to create any other clear chances for the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Both sides were fading under the oppressive heat -– temperatures were reportedly in the high 80s by kickoff — and the occasion suffered for it. It was Kenny Dalglish's decision to inject drive and experience into the proceedings that turned things in his team's favor.
Steve Gerrard and Craig Bellamy entered in the 67th minute, and Liverpool took the lead within five minutes. Bellamy drove down the left and passed forward to overlapping fullback Jose Enrique. The Spaniard took it to the byline and slipped a reverse pass to Carroll, who was standing just eight yards from Howard's goal. The maligned striker put Liverpool ahead with a confident finish.
The Reds maintained the pressure after the goal and Suarez put the result beyond doubt in the 82nd minute. He received some good fortune when he tried to dribble past defender Silvain Distin in the penalty area. Defender Leighton Baines won the ball off of the Uruguayan, but Distin's attempted clearance hit Suarez in the chest. The ball fell comfortably to his feet and he slotted it under Howard from close range.
Everton had neither the legs nor lungs to overturn Liverpool's advantage and the game was essentially finished with the second goal. The Tofees will air legitimate grievances regarding Rodwell's dismissal, but it won't matter. The Reds are the rulers of Merseyside for the first time in nearly 18 months and have given notice to the rest of the English Premier League.
Performances will improve as the squad gels but, until that happens, Liverpool has that ability to squeeze results that are greater than their component performances.
