After returning from cup games over the weekend, tonight saw Liverpool take a solid 4-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby. Although the two sides began the game on equal terms, a flying 21st minute header from Gerrard saw the ball sink into the back of the net at the near post. Not much more than 10 minutes after, Sturridge was able to capitalize on the lead by scoring in a one-on-one situation with Howard, which was created by an admirable through pass from Coutinho. A matter of minutes later, a long ball from Toure gave Sturridge the chance to grab another, after placing a precise lob over the keeper and into the empty net – leaving Everton three goals down at the interval.
Just five minutes into the second half, Suarez decided to add to the scoreboard in order to make it 4-0 by picking up a neat pass, pushing past the defence and slotting it low. Despite Howard taking down Sterling and giving Liverpool a penalty in the 55th minute, Sturridge was unable to grab a hat-trick by shooting high and wide.
The result puts Liverpool a healthy four points ahead of Everton in the table, with the reds sitting in fourth and and the blues maintaining sixth position despite the loss.