Everton 1-2 Liverpool: Rafael Benitez Sticks To His Guns

Penalties, red cards, own goals, contentious refereeing—the biannual Merseyside war saw the EPL return from the International break with an ill-tempered bang.

Given the break, the injuries, and the early kickoff time, it was perhaps unsurprising that the 177th Merseyside league derby started sluggishly.

The Reds opened relatively brightly, but failed to capitalise. By the time Liverpool's Sami Hyypia knocked the ball into his own net in the 37th minute, Everton had woken up.

Everton looked increasingly comfortable in the second half, but a controversial set piece proved to be Liverpool's salvation against the efficient home defence.

Steven Gerrard was awarded a penalty and Everton were reduced to 10 men when Tony Hibbert was questionably sent off for fouling the Liverpool captain. Replays showed that Gerrard may have persuaded the referee to change his ruling from a yellow to a red.

Dirk Kuyt converted for his first league goal of the season, but despite a man advantage Liverpool continued to labour against the Everton defence.
 
Gerrard found himself at the centre of another controversy when he was taken off with 20 minutes to go for Lucas, the young Brazilian. Ignoring the increasingly fierce criticism of his rotation policy, Rafael Benitez withdrew the Liverpool captain in order to change tactics.

The decision was mystifying, especially given Sissoko's mediocre performance, but Benitez will feel no doubt feel vindicated by the final result.

Liverpool won the game in the dying minutes, with Kuyt converting on another penalty after Phil Neville briefly stepped in as Everton keeper to prevent a goal—and earned a red card for his efforts.

There was still time for more drama, as Everton were denied a penalty after Jamie Carragher appeared to foul Joleon Lescott in the box. The referee thought otherwise, though, and the Liverpool players celebrated the final whistle as if they'd just earned a trophy.

On the whole, it was a bitter pill for Everton to swallow, as they'll feel they were cheated out of a point by dubious officiating.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will hope that their struggles between the International breaks are over—but Benitez continues to court criticism. His decision to remove Gerrard shows the manager takes no heed of the media second-guessing him.

Only time will tell if that's a good or bad thing for his club.