Fernando Torres fired home an explosive double as Liverpool ran riot in the 208th Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.The Spanish hot-shot blew the Toffees away with two goals in foursecond-half minutes to clinch a 2-0 win for Rafael Benitez's side andensure the Reds equalled their best start to a Premier League campaignsince the 96-97 campaign when they took 14 points from their openingsix matches.
It means Liverpool are now in joint-second place in the table following Chelsea's win at Stoke.
Prior to kick-off the Reds had failed to score in the first-half ofeach of their last seven league matches and that stat now stands ateight after the first 45 ended in stalemate.
That's not to say it was not full of incident as both sides foughttooth and nail to make the breakthrough in what proved to be atypically full-blooded encounter.
The home support love nothing more than to see their heroes comeout on top against the Reds and there was certainly an increased senseof expectation in the stands as David Moyes' men went in search oftheir first home win of the campaign.
They could have made the perfect start too, but Tim Cahill somehowcontrived to miss his kick from eight yards out after Mikel Arteta's14th minute corner had evaded everyone at the near post.
The chance came on the back of a good spell of possession forRafael Benitez's side and they responded to the let off by carving outa good chance of their own, when Fernando Torres' close range shot wasbrilliantly blocked by Joseph Yobo after great play down the left byAlbert Riera.
For all Liverpool's good approach play it was Everton who continuedto create the more clear-cut opportunities and the Reds - and PepeReina in particular - were left to breath a huge sigh of relief on 28minutes.
The Spanish stopper flapped at a hoisted cross from the right andpresented Marouane Fellaini with a great chance to mark his derby debutwith a goal.
The Belgian midfielder did everything right, lashing a low drivetowards goal, but he was brilliantly denied on the goal-line by JamieCarragher - only for the defender to see that referee Mike Riley hadgenerously blown for a free-kick to the Reds.
The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair with neither sideable to manufacture a serious goalscoring opportunity although XabiAlonso should have done better with a 25-yard drive that flewharmlessly into the stand.
There was a sense throughout the ground that there was much more tocome from the 208th Merseyside derby and it proved to be the case forthose in red.
As the half wore on it looked more and more likely that Liverpool'spurposeful approach play would pay dividends and the Gwladys Streetfaithful were almost 'treated' to the sight of Steven Gerrard's 100thgoal for the club on 52 minutes but the skipper's 25 yarder draggedjust wide of Tim Howard's far post.
Ahead of the match Benitez had given derby debuts to AlvaroArbeloa, Andrea Dossena, Albert Riera and Robbie Keane - and the lattertwo marked the experience by playing a decisive part in Liverpool'sopening goal.
Riera showed great feet to create space down the left and when hesent Keane racing into the area, the Irishman crossed for Torres toexpertly volley home his second of the season on 58 minutes.
It had looked like being a frustrating afternoon for El Nino afterthe Spaniard was booked for dissent five minutes after the restart, buthaving grabbed his first since the opening day of the season win atSunderland, he duly set about adding his second.
Once again it was some superb approach play by Keane that saw theforward feed the ball into Dirk Kuyt and although the Dutchman waschallenged out of a shot at goal, Torres was on hand to nonchalantlysteer an effort into the top corner.
At this point it looked like the latest in a long line of greatLiverpool number nine's could possibly go on to emulate the incrediblefeat of the legendary Ian Rush, who memorably struck four goals in aGoodison derby 25 years ago last November.
He may have had a chance too, but his stunning drive form an acute angle was harshly ruled out on 65 minutes for offside.
The hosts were now showing signs of serious frustration and it wasno surprise when Cahill saw red for a late challenge on Alonso - gameover.
All that was needed now was for El Nino to cap the afternoon with his treble - but it wasn't to be.
Not that the travelling Kop were complaining as they happilyperformed the 'Torres bounce' while the Reds extended their run ofGoodison triumphs to seven from their last nine visits.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Skrtel,Arbeloa, Riera, Gerrard (captain), Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Keane. Subs -Hyypia, Aurelio, Babel, Leiva, Cavalieri, Agger, Pennant
