Rafa Benitez admitted Everton FC made it easy for Liverpool FC 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’ 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 the Reds’ 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-half 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.”
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.
“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.
“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.”
The typically composed Benitez turned towards the Main Stand to celebrate at the final whistle.
He refuted claims he was making a gesture to the director’s box, however.
“To play with 10 players in a derby like this one, that was so emotional, you have to say thank you to the fans,” he added.
“My celebration was spontaneous. It was to the fans, nothing more. For me the fans were pushing and helping the team.
“That is the way, to get behind us, and help us win games.”
Dirk Kuyt’s 55th minute header was the difference between the two teams, but Benitez believes Everton failed to take advantage of Sotirios Kyrgiakos’ 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 the Reds’ 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-half 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.”
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.
“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.
“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.”
The typically composed Benitez turned towards the Main Stand to celebrate at the final whistle.
He refuted claims he was making a gesture to the director’s box, however.
“To play with 10 players in a derby like this one, that was so emotional, you have to say thank you to the fans,” he added.
“My celebration was spontaneous. It was to the fans, nothing more. For me the fans were pushing and helping the team.
“That is the way, to get behind us, and help us win games.”
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