Football - Liverpool FC: Character shown in 2-0 derby win over Everton FC can transform our season says Liverpool FC’s DIrk Kuyt

Nov 30 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: DERBY hero Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool have shown the character that can transform their season after stealing victory at Goodison.

Rafael Benitez’s side bounced back from Champions League elimination in midweek with a morale-boosting 2-0 win against neighbours Everton in yesterday’s 212th Merseyside derby.

After a Javier Mascherano shot deflected in off Joseph Yobo in the 12th minute, Liverpool were forced to withstand intense pressure before Kuyt slotted home 10 minutes from time after Tim Howard could only parry substitute Albert Riera’s shot.

The result moves the Anfield outfit up to fifth place in the Premier League table and within two points of the Champions League qualification places.

And Kuyt reckons the manner in which Liverpool dug deep to extend their unbeaten league run against Everton to six games can strengthen their resolve for the remainder of the campaign.

“We’re really happy with the result,” said the striker. “It’s one of the most important games of our season and to beat Everton always gives you a special feeling.

“I’m really happy for the team and the supporters.

“It’s a good result and hopefully we can take the confidence from this into our next couple of games.

“When you play in a derby match, they aren’t often the greatest games to watch but I think we showed a lot of character to win, and that’s what it was all about.

“A derby is more important than almost every other game, and to win this means a lot for us. The result is more important than the performance in a derby, you know it’s going to be hard to play good football.”

Of Liverpool’s early Champions League exit – they could now face their neighbours in the Europa League in the New Year – Kuyt added: “We work hard to get results and we’ve all come to Liverpool to win trophies, so when things don’t go your way it’s disappointing.

“It has been a very hard period for us but, like the manager says, we have to move on now and look forward.

“This was a good win, especially as it gets us back in the top five.

“Liverpool have had a great history in the Champions League, including the three years I have been here.

“We have had some special nights and we want them again.”

Kuyt’s goal was his fifth of the season and ended a barren spell stretching back to the 3-2 win at West Ham United on September 19, the last time Liverpool had won on their Premier League travels.

But the Dutchman said: “It’s been a while since I scored, but for me that’s not the most important thing.

“We needed to win, and that’s what matters most.

“This win has come at the right moment for us.

“Everybody knows that we have struggled in the Premier League this season and haven’t done well in the Champions League. But we have to move on.”

Liverpool kept a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League for the first time this season, with the shut-out only their seventh in 21 games in all competitions.

It was largely down to a remarkable double save from Pepe Reina in the 70th minute, the goalkeeper saving a header from Tim Cahill and then blocking Marouane Fellaini’s follow-up effort from point-blank range.

“We won against Debrecen while keeping a clean sheet and we did the same today, so hopefully that can help bring some of our confidence back,” said Kuyt yesterday.

“Everton put us under a lot of pressure with the long balls because they have quality players in the air like Fellaini and Cahill. They caused us a few problems but I thought the defence and Pepe Reina were superb.

“Pepe made a great double save, and for me he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He definitely showed that with the save today.”