Two of Everton’s most distinguished old boys could be heard in the Goodison Park press room beforehand singing that “there may be trouble ahead”, but little could they have imagined just what a chastening evening lay in prospect for their beloved team.
The Times
Reds march on as blues deepen
Nine wins on the spin, Liverpool's hot streak in the Premiership continued at ice station Goodison last night but Everton remain caught in the Big Chill and a fourth successive reverse has them dropping faster than the mercury.
Daily Telegraph
Gerrard the general takes charge as nine-man Everton surrender
Seven minutes from the end of the Merseyside derby, one that represented a belated chance for Everton to restore a modicum of pride in front of their own supporters, James Beattie spurned a glorious chance in front of the Gwladys Street goal and the prospect of a frenetic finale went with it.
The Independent
Cissé caps demolition of Everton's tactics
As if being beaten comfortably were not misery enough, Everton were also tantalised on occasion. The Liverpool of the recent past might have maintained a duller and steadier control but here they could call up a superior flair whenever their city rivals were getting a little too close.
The Guardian