Steven Gerrard hit a hat-trick as Liverpool trounced Everton 3-0 at Anfield on Tuesday in the Barclays Premier League.
The inspirational Reds captain, returning to the starting line-up after injury, curled home after 34 minutes at Anfield after Tim Howard saved from Martin Kelly.
Liverpool, seeking to avoid a fourth successive Barclays Premier League defeat, had the better of a frantic first half in which Kelly and Luis Suarez also went close.
Gerrard scored again midway through the second half and wrapped up his hat-trick with the final kick of the game. He is only the fifth Liverpool player to do so at Anfield - the last coming from Fred Howe in September 1935.
Liverpool
Reina - 6.5
It hasn't been the best season for Reina and he looked a little nervous in the opening stages. He managed to shake it off and kept a clean sheet in the end.
Kelly - 7.5
Kelly was so poor in the opening 20 minutes of the game but after that he suddenly sprung to life to turn the game on its head. He was the man who broke forward to play a crucial role in Liverpool's opening goal. Kelly's confidence kept growing and had a few good chances to score himself.
Enrique - 6.5
The Spaniard was never really tested enough from an Everton point of view until the introduction of Drenthe on the hour mark.
Skrtel - 7
Very solid display from Skrtel. He was a man-mountain at the back for the Reds, winning countless headers in the box.
Carragher - 7
The veteran may have lost some pace over the years but he's got a good footballing brain on his shoulders and he used that against Everton to great effect. Every time you thought Carragher might get caught out by the quicker Baines or Anichebe, the Reds legend read the danger and snuffed it out.
Spearing - 7
The youngster may have his critics but his hard work allowed the likes of Gerrard to reap the rewards of a more attack-minded role.
Gerrard - 10
Gerrard marked his 400th league appearance with a hat-trick to settle the 217th Merseyside derby at Anfield. All three goals were smashed into the roof of the net and in doing so he became the first player to register a treble in a league derby since Ian Rush scored four in a 5-0 win at Goodison in November 1982.
Henderson - 6.5 (Off 73')
Played as a right sided midfielder, Henderson struggled in the first half but gave a better account of himself after the break before being subbed in the 73rd minute.
Downing - 6.5
A mixed performance from Downing. There were some good parts - such as his crossing - but he played too narrow and should have tried to get in behind Hibbert more often.
Suarez - 8
Suarez was a nuisance throughout the game and Everton's defenders couldn't seem to get the ball off him at times. His shooting was poor again but he redeemed himself with a couple of assists - including unselfishly rolling the ball to Gerrard to smash home his hat-trick in stoppage time.
Carroll - 7
No goals again for Carroll but his link-up play with Suarez was very encouraging. He was also immense in the air and played some really intelligent flick-on headers to give Liverpool's attack a fluidity that has been missing in recent games.
Subs
Kuyt (On 72') - 6
Came on for Henderson as Dalglish looked for the Dutchman's work rate to help him close out the game.
Post time 14-3-2012 09:35 AM
