Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard paid tribute to his side's commitment after they beat Everton 1-0 in the Merseyside derby at Anfield, despite playing for 56 minutes with ten men. The Reds had Greece defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos sent off for a badly-timed challenge on Marouane Fellaini. Dirk Kuyt headed the winner from Gerrard's 55th-minute corner to move Rafael Benitez's side up to fourth in the Barclays Premier League, with Everton's Steven Pienaar seeing red in injury time.

Gerrard said: "That is what derbies are all about. There was passion, commitment and fight. We beat a very good Everton side today with ten men and we should enjoy this result.

"We played some good football and had a great attitude, sticking together. We knew we would be up against it at times and if we had the chance at a set-piece we could grab a goal."

Gerrard also praised the performance of referee Martin Atkinson during a typically feisty battle between the local rivals. "The ref was superb," said Gerrard. "He let tackles go and that's what fans pay their money for. There were some mis-timed tackles, but we can't complain and I don't think Everton will either."

That is what derbies are all about. There was passion, commitment and fight.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said he hoped his side's confidence will be boosted by the victory. "Hopefully we'll have more confidence for the next game against Arsenal. We are doing much better and we won today with ten players, so we cannot ask for more," he said.

"It was an amazing performance from the team. It's a massive result for us. I felt the fans were behind the team working so hard and we were defending well and dangerous on the counter-attack," said Benitez. "The commitment of our players was fantastic, so everything was positive."

Benitez praised Holland striker Kuyt, whose winner was his 50th goal for the Anfield club. "He is an amazing player who works hard, scores goal, especially against Everton."