The Importance of Beating Everton

There's never a bad way to win the derby. Granted, not every victory sparkles like a Cup Final triumph, a four-goal Rush demolition or a last minute Gary Mac miracle strike. But in terms of performance, commitment and overall context, it's hard to think of a more satisfying result against the Blue-Nosed Barbarians than the one on Saturday.

Because, and without wanting to veer into the realms of melodrama more suited to the Sky Sports production office, this was a game Liverpool really couldn't afford to lose. For all kinds of reasons.

Of course, a defeat in itself wouldn't have signalled the end of our top four aspirations. Nor would it have provided compelling evidence of a seismic power-shift in Merseyside's football landscape. But it would have been perhaps the sharpest dagger yet in the hearts of supporters slowly rediscovering a measure of belief, in their team, in their manager and perhaps in themselves, in the midst of this most tumultuous of seasons.

Whilst not performing with the remorseless intensity or unyielding conviction of the previous campaign, we have in recent weeks quietly established the foundations for a sustained push up the table. Six games unbeaten, five without conceding, pointed to a team regaining its solidity and, although the football on display was often functional rather than fluid, it's been enough to send the media vultures flitting away in search of fresh carrion (dutifully provided by relentless charm vacuum, England's Brave John Terry).

To have endured another setback here, against our bitterest (in all senses of the word) rivals, would have reignited the debate about Benitez’s competence, a debate that has been framed in such a way by the popular press as to leave no-one in any doubt as to the conclusions they are meant to arrive at. And, as is generally the case with such an emotive issue, the resulting divisions and recriminations serve only to foster the kind of instability that seldom ends well for anyone.

So the importance of Dirk Kuyt’s sharply-taken 55th minute header can not be over-stated. In truth, this was the kind of game Kuyt thrives on. He’s never going to be found wanting when commitment, hard work and physical presence are the essential requirements, and his performance here was a timely reminder to those who have questioned his worth and his place in the team. Quite simply, Kuyt was an example to all - tireless when Everton were in possession, closing down, harrying, intercepting, yet always available as an outlet when his team were on the offensive. His performance typified Liverpool’s grim determination to take three points, a conviction only heightened by their numerical disadvantage.

Referee Atkinson’s decision to dismiss Kyrgiakos could perhaps be justified given his view of the incident, which emphasised the centre-back’s lunge whilst masking Fellaini’s ugly follow-through. However, many of his other judgements revealed a degree of eccentricity, ineptitude and wrong-headedness on a par with Jedward covering the Velvet Underground’s ‘Heroin.’

How Pienaar managed to escape with just a yellow card for his despicable over-the-ball challenge on Mascherano would have left David Blaine flummoxed; that he received the exact same punishment for an innocuous leap towards Gerrard only emphasised the referee’s failure to exert any consistent measure of control. Similarly, Fellaini could count himself fortunate to receive no censure when attempting to volley Kuyt’s head from his shoulders.

Happily this was to be a day, unlike many this season, where inadequate refereeing did not materially affect the final result. In fact, it may be said that the loss of Fellaini, a man with the appearance and demeanour of something living in a ditch on Sesame Street, had a greater impact on Everton than the dismissal of Kyrgiakos had on Liverpool, given his aerial prowess and combative nature. The introduction of a half-fit Arteta as a replacement ultimately worked in Liverpool’s favour, given the lack of time and space in midfield and the relative ease with which his ambition was suppressed.

This was a victory to belie the oft-repeated notion of Liverpool as a two-man team. That’s not to denigrate the contribution of Steven Gerrard, who gave a performance of thoughtfulness and controlled passion to indicate at last that his peak form is returning. But collectively, Liverpool were immense. Matching Kuyt’s guts and industry every step of the way were Mascherano and Carragher, each displaying the kind of commitment and leadership that were perhaps absent earlier in the season. Reina, surely a shoo-in for the Player of the Year shortlist, was as dependable as we’ve come to expect; Insua demonstrated that he possesses the defensive capabilities to complement his attacking instincts; N’Gog ensured that the Everton defenders were constantly under pressure and underlined that, if he can only improve his decision-making, he could become a significant force at the highest level.

In terms of organisation, character, composure and ultimately, elation, Saturday’s derby brought back memories of the first Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. Obviously, and without wanting to go too far down the road of belittling Everton (which, after all, is never the most challenging of tasks), there exists a vast gulf in the quality of opposition in the two matches. But, from Liverpool’s perspective, getting somewhere near that level of self-belief and unity can only be a positive.

It remains to be seen whether we can build on this and achieve the kind of consistency required to push for a top four finish. In this respect, the next two games will be hugely instructive. But with the likes of Torres, Benayoun and Johnson to return, and with Gerrard, Aquilani, Rodriguez and Riera getting closer to full fitness, it’s fair to say that, after what seems like a long, miserable winter, we can finally allow ourselves to look ahead with cautious optimism.

That's what a derby win can do for you. And that's why we should treasure every one.