Football - Liverpool FC: Everton tactics helped us to win the derby, says Rafa Benitez

Feb 8 2010 by David Randles, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ admitted Everton made it easy for Liverpool to win the 213th Merseyside derby.

Dirk Kuyt’s 55th-minute header was the difference between the two teams, but Benitez believes Everton failed to take advantage of Sotirios Kyrgiakos’s first half sending off.

The Greek defender received a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Marouane Fellaini, who was stretchered off before being carried down the tunnel and taken to hospital for an X-ray.

Despite the introduction of the ball-playing Mikel Arteta, however, the visitors resorted to hitting long balls forward instead of trying to play through Liverpool. That, says Benitez, played into Liverpool’s hands, making for a more comfortable win than he expected.

“I was surprised,” said the Spaniard. “I was expecting more penetrating passes and also for them to try and play on the floor.

“They had Arteta on but they played direct. That made it easier for us. It was easier to control and we continued to do our job in defence.

“When you are losing with 11 players against 10 but you have to win, sometimes you are a little bit more nervous and play more direct. That made it easier for us to control the situation. It suited us.”

Benitez was clearly unhappy with the decision to send off Kyrgiakos, particularly as Fellaini went unpunished in an incident that presented a case for both players being reprimanded.

Having impressed in recent weeks, the centre-back will now miss Liverpool’s next three games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Blackburn.

Referee Martin Atkinson struggled to control a typically physical encounter between the fierce Mersey rivals, but Benitez stopped short of publicly criticising the official.

“There are too many tackles that we can analyse carefully but we won’t all agree,” he said.

“I prefer not to say anything about it rather than comment on the referee.

“But, yes, everybody was surprised with the sending off.

“It was difficult. There were too many tackles in the first half. Then we had 10 men where it should have been two yellow cards.

“We needed to have more control and try to win but without losing the passion.”

Kuyt grabbed his 50th goal for Liverpool to hand the Anfield club maximum points and move them up to fourth in the table, a point ahead of Tottenham who drew with Aston Villa on Saturday.

It was Kuyt’s fourth goal in as many games, a strike rate that is helping fill the void left in the absence of Fernando Torres.

“I think everyone knows now what Kuyt can do for us,” said Benitez.

“He’s not a player that is very skilful; not in the way we would normally understand of a skilful player with that kind of ability.

“But he has quality and is fantastic in every game, working really hard for the team.

“He can do different jobs. Today, we knew that Leighton Baines has been having a very good season so Kuyt made sure he worked hard keeping him busy.

“Attacking has sometimes been a problem for him but he is scoring more goals now. His team-mates know he is a very good player, as do the fans.

“Fifty goals for any player is a good achievement, especially in the Premier League. He has played as a right and left winger, striker and second striker. He is very important for us.”

Liverpool face Arsenal on Wednesday, who are five points ahead of Liverpool.

An away win at The Emirates would put the pressure on Arsene Wenger’s team however, and could even put Liverpool in the frame for a third placed finish.

Benitez refused to get carried away though.

“We have to enjoy the next two or three days and then think about Arsenal,” he said.

“You never know, but it’s always the same, one game at a time. If we can keep winning we will be closer but it’s a long race. To guarantee fourth place is not easy.

“The main thing now is to try and get three points in every game.”