Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Last updated : 20 March 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Everton went into this crunch tie hoping to all but confirm their first league finish above Liverpool since Rick Astley topped the charts and the two Merseyside clubs ruled the land.

The times have changed, and the fact that both clubs failed to capitalise on countless opportunities to take hold of their Champions League destiny going into this game led many to believe that the kind of classic encounters witnessed in the early eighties would remain firmly in local folklore.

They may be right as the quality and season's goals have undoubtedly been reduced for both proud clubs. But the passion and commitment, from Liverpool at least, was every bit the measure of those heady days.

First-half goals from a fired up Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia ensured the Reds cut Everton's lead over them to just four points with eight games still to play.

Gerrard demonstrated his commitment to the Liverpool cause, for this season at least, with two early crunching tackles worthy of any derby game, as the reds rampaged forward at every opportunity.

Relentless pressure pegged a shocked Everton back from the off and finally forced a breakthrough great work down the right from early sub Antonio Nunez. He jinked inside of a labouring Alessandro Pistone before cutting a delightful ball back to his compatriot Garcia who was felled right on the edge of the Everton box.

From the resulting free-kick Gerrard powerfully sidefooted past Nigel Martyn low into the bottom right-hand corner. It was no more than the Reds deserved and gave the game a timely boost.

The goal lit the blue touch paper for Liverpool and they piled forward to press home the advantage. On 32 minutes the mounting pressure took its toll again.

A previously anonymous Fernando Morientes hit a glorious volley from all of 35 yards that, had it gone in would have been a worthy contender for goal of the season. Martyn scurried back towards his line as the ball dipped but could only tip it on to the bar and Garcia was the first to react as he nodded in the rebound.

Despite Liverpool's luck in front of goal they enjoyed no such good fortune on the injury front. Stephen Warnock departed after 20 minutes and was followed shortly after by Dietmar Hamann, who replaced by Igor Biscan. Then minutes later Morientes came off second best in a clash with Joseph Yobo and was withdrawn.

In the second period an out of sorts Milan Baros had a hat-trick of chances to put the result beyond doubt. The first came as David Weir stumbled on the ball on half way allowing the Czech international a clear run at Martyn.

But he dallied in possession and allowed Tony Hibbert to catch him and deflect his eventual shot out for a corner with a desperate last-gasp challenge.

He almost made amends with a blistering half-volley from 25 yards with just over an hour gone. But minutes later the Euro 2004 star wriggled past Weir's grasp and eluded Hibbert.

But after shimmying his way around Martyn he was denied again as the Everton keeper stuck out a foot to deflect his goalbound effort wide. Baros, along with the entire Anfield crowd could not quite believe the miss.

David Moyes introduced James Beattie and Duncan Ferguson but neither managed to impose themselves on the game as Everton failed to muster a single attack of note.

Baros completed a miserable afternoon with a sending-off 15 minutes from time. A needless lunge on Alan Stubbs brought a straight red from referee Styles.

With no focal point in attack for the Reds they began to drop deeper and deeper towards their own goal. Everton punted a plethora of speculative long balls forward and with ten minutes left they struck gold.

Ferguson nodded down for Tim Cahill to hit a superb half-volley low past Jerzy Dudek from the right side of the box.

Moyes' side continued to press but lacked ideas. Ferguson's aerial prowess provided enough nervous moments to suggest another last minute Everton comeback could be on the cards.

But Liverpool stood firm and the Blues did not muster another shot on target in a desperately disappointing afternoon for them.