LIVERPOOL 2-1 EVERTON

match report
By J Wade
March 20 2005

Liverpool have closed the gap in the race for 4th place to just four points after goals from Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia gave them a well earned 2-1 victory over Everton at Anfield today.

Both Liverpool goals came in the first half and were no more than the Reds deserved after an all action opening had given the upper hand over their city rivals.
 
The Reds were forced to play the last 12 minutes with 10 men after Milan Baros was sent off, but they hung on after Tim Cahill had given hope with a 81st minute strike and they thoroughly deserved the three points.
 
Rafa's men are now hot on the heels on David Moyes' 4th place side and they will surely take the fight for Champions League qualification to the wire if they continue play with the verve and desire they showed today.
 
Their breakthough came after 27 minutes when Luis Garcia was fouled on the edge of the box and Steven Gerrard fired in the resultant free kick. And they were 2-0 soon after when Luis Garcia raced in to head in to the Kop net after Martyn could only parry Morientes' brilliant volley.
 
Three enforced first half substitutions meant Liverpool were living dangerously in the second half, but it was Everton who were clinging on when Milan Baros twice spurned guilt edged chances to put his side in the comfort zone.
 
To be fair to Baros it was only excellent last ditched defending from Weir and a lucky hanging leg of Martyn that kept it at 2-0.
 
Baros' luck didn't improve either because he was sent off for a tackle on Stubbs after 77 minutes. Late though Baros' tackle was, he was maybe a little unfortunate to see red after some tough Everton tackling had seen them collect only four yellow cards.
 
But at the end all that mattered was the scoreline and this win puts Liverpool with firmly in the race to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

Teams

Liverpool: Dudek, Warnock, Carragher, Pellegrino, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard, Hamann, Garcia, Morientes, Baros

Subs: Carson, Hyypia, Nunez, Biscan, Smicer
 
Everton: Martyn, Pistone, Weir, Stubbs, Hibbert, Kilbane, Carsley, Cahill, Yobo, Osman, Bent

Subs: Wright, Watson, Ferguson, Beattie, Naysmith