Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard paid tribute to his side’s commitment after they beat Everton 1-0 in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
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 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 side today with 10-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 : “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.”
   
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