A first half brace from Daniel Sturridge saw Liverpool demolish Everton 4-0 in an English Premier League match at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The first 45 minutes was a highly entertaining affair as the match moved from end to end as both sides attacked without fear of conceding any goals.
Sadly, that was not the case for Everton whose goalline was breached on three occasions, largely due to their high defensive line.
The Toffees had the first attempt on goal in the second minute when Ross Barkley was afforded too much space in the middle of the park, but he saw his powerful left-footed shot from 30-yards sail inches over the crossbar.
A minute later and Tim Howard had to be alert, diving full stretch to his left to beat a 24-yard volley from Jordan Henderson away from goal.
In the seventh minute a mistake at the back by Phil Jagielka allowed Luis Suarez through on goal, but he saw his low attempt from the edge of the box tipped around the post by Howard.
In the 18th minute Liverpool should have taken the lead after Daniel Sturridge played Raheem Sterling through on goal, but Howard thwarted the Reds once more as he was quick off his goalline to block the strikers close range shot.
Three minutes later, however, and Liverpool did take the lead when Steven Gerrard rose highest at a corner-kick to powerful head home from six-yards out, 1-0.
In the 25th minute Everton suffered a slight set-back when Romelu Lukaka had to leave the field injured and was replaced by Steven Naysmith.
Still, despite suffering that loss Everton went forward in search of an equaliser and only a great save from Simon Mignolet kept his side in the lead on the half hour mark as he beat away a 16-yard shot from Jagielka.
In the 32nd minute Kevin Mirallas came within inches of drawing his side level when he saw his 30-yard grass-cutter skim the wrong side of the post.
A minute later, however, and Liverpool doubled their lead after a delightful pass from Philippe Coutinho saw Sturridge through on goal and he made no mistake with a clinical finish, 2-0.
In the 35th minute the Reds confirmed their dominance of the half after Everton’s high defensive line was caught out yet again with Sturridge bursting in behind them and then lobbing the onrushing Howard for his second goal of the night, 3-0.
Everton spent the rest of the half throwing men forward in attack as they tried to pull a goal back, but they were unable to breach the Liverpool defence.
The start of the second 45 saw Everton playing with real intensity as they threw numbers forward, but again they were caught on the counter-attack in the 50th minute.
Suarez broke from the half way line, out-running Jagielka to find himself with just the keeper to beat and he calmly passed the ball home from 16-yards out, 4-0
Four minutes later the Reds were afforded a great opportunity to go five goals to the good when the referee adjudged Howard to have brought down Sturridge inside the box and pointed to the penalty spot.
Sturridge stepped up to take the spot-kick, but with his hat-trick on the line, the striker fired over the crossbar.
The match had its fair share of chances after that, but poor finishing from both sides saw neither add to the goal tally on the night as Liverpool walked away with Merseyside bragging rights.
