Liverpool emerged as victors from a tense encounter with Everton despite being a man down for almost an hour.

Local pride was of course important but so too a vital three points earned through a Dirk Kuyt header.

The win put Rafael Benitez's side ahead of Tottenham in fourth place and results later in the day ensured the Reds remained there.

Ahead of games with Arsenal and then Manchester City in a fortnight's time Liverpool's recent run of form could have come at a vital time.  

The 213th meeting of these two clubs was like so many others combustive from the start. Little more than 20 seconds had gone before Jamie Carragher headed into a full blooded challenge. 

There were three changes from the side which beat Bolton Wanderers at the same venue seven days previously. Martin Skrtel came out allowing Daniel Agger to partner Sotirios Kyrgiakos at the heart of defence.

Maxi Rodriguez was something of a surprise replacement for Albert Riera and the Argentine took the left wing. Alberto Aquilani who has been used sparingly in the games expected to be more robust despite showing he has some stomach for a battle came out as Lucas Leiva came back in alongside Javier Mascherano.

The ball and challenges came at a ferocious pace Steven Pienaar was the first to earn a yellow card for a tackle on Mascherano which many suggested was worthy of a greater sanction. That caution was far from the last to be dished out by Martin Atkinson.

Everton had looked fluid in certain areas of the field but against a tight defence were limited to little more than optimistic shots at goal though they did win a number of early corners. So often Tim Cahill would have looked to cause a problem but the Australian was limited in his effectiveness.

There was a chance from another set -piece. This time a foul which earned a free-kick Leighton Baines fired towards goal. Pepe Reina was however equal to it and fisted over.

There was a set back for the hosts when just past the half hour Kyrgiakos was shown a red card. His tackle on Marouane Fellaini was two footed and with his feet slightly raised the Greek was, by FIFA directives, obliged to leave the field.

Though as the Belgian looked to have put in a stamp on the the former AEK Athens man's shinthere was surprise at the decision. Even at the fact Fellani who had already taken a kick at a prone Kuyt was not dismissed too. Though he took no further part in proceedings it wasn't a disciplinary matter. The challenge left him unable to continue after more than five minutes of treatment. Mikel Arteta came on.

In the Premiership era this fixture had before kick-off accounted for 17 dismissals - more than any other - and eight in the last ten meetings. 

Cahill had a chance to grab an opener in stoppage time created by the Kyrgiakos sending off. With time and space after a Landon Donovan cross was nodded across the face of goal there was too much air under the effort.

Tim Howard by contrast had little to do except make comfortable saves from David Ngog and Steven Gerrard who formed the forward pairing. Gerrard clipped the woodwork with a free-kick.

Everton had the better start to the second half Cahill couldn't cause Reina much concern. Nor could Donovan who put an effort wide.

Just when it seemed Liverpool would have to withstand pressure Kuyt struck his 50th goal in a red shirt. A brief flurry of pressure resulted in two quick corners and from the last of these Gerrard, who had received a barrage of abuse from away fans behind him as he took them, centred.

The Dutchman who was being buffeted between Howard and Phil Neville had ambled into a central position just a few yards out and glanced in.

Ryan Babel was put on for Ngog which visibly increased not just Liverpool's striking options as with the exception of an early attempt dragged wide teh young Frenchman had little of note. Babel also held the ball up well. Not that Ngog had failed in that art - but the Holland international improved that feature.  

Yakubu and Victor Anichebe who came on as David Moyes made one last gamble in the final quarter had a chance apiece.

Each made Reina save. Yakubu when he bustled down the left. Reina was able to pad at an attempted chip from an acute angle and then field his own touch.

From the other flank Anichebe twisted a way past Carragher and put in a swirling effort which was put out with a solid punch.

There were two late flare-ups. Seven minutes from the end Gerrard put it in a mis-timed tackle on Pienaar. Johnny Heitinga came to state his colleague's case with the Anfield skipper and a melee ensued.

Tempers were perhaps still raised when Pienaar seemed to seek retribution for a challenge on Gerrard. A second yellow card adding up to a red. 

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Insua, Kuyt (Skrtel), Lucas, Mascherano, Maxi (Aurelio), Gerrard, Ngog (Babel) Unused substituutes: Cavalieri, Degen, Aquilani, Riera

Everton: Howard, Baines, Distin, Heitinga, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini (Arteta), Osman (Yakubu), Donovan, Cahill, Saha (Anichibe) Unused substitutes: Nash, Senderos, Coleman, Bilyaletdinov

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Match Stats

Possession

Liverpool 54%                          Everton 46%

Shots on target

Liverpool 4                               Everton 3

Shots off target

Liverpool 5                               Everton 3

Corners

Liverpool 8                               Everton 8