By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Anfield

Steven Gerrard's hat-trick ensured there was no happy 10th anniversary for Everton manager David Moyes as Liverpool eased to a comfortable victory in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Gerrard scored in the first half and then twice more after the break - including one in the final minute - to earn Liverpool their biggest win against Everton in nine years and ensure Moyes remains without an away derby win in his decade in charge at Goodison Park.

It was also the first hat-trick in a Merseyside derby since Ian Rush scored four in the Reds' 5-0 win at Goodison Park in 1982, and the first at Anfield since Fred Howe achieved the feat for Liverpool in 1935.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Steven Gerrard has now scored seven goals in Premier League Merseyside derbies, breaking Robbie Fowler's record of six

The hosts never looked in any danger of a fourth successive Premier League defeat while Everton's much-changed side looked totally incapable of extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches.

Gerrard produced contrasting finishes of delicate touch and power to prevent the visitors securing their first win at Anfield since 1999, a result that would have seen them leapfrog Kenny Dalglish's side in the Premier League table.

He was the inspiration, in tandem with Luis Suarez, for a Liverpool performance that carried the vibrancy and rhythm that has been missing from so many of their displays since the turn of the year, despite their Carling Cup victory.

Both clubs are fantastic - Dalglish

Blues boss Moyes appeared to be aiming a glance in the direction of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at home to Sunderland with six changes that saw striker Nikica Jelavic, the match-winner against Tottenham, left on the bench along with captain Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, John Heitinga and Leon Osman.

Dalglish restored Gerrard to Liverpool's starting line-up and paired Andy Carroll with Suarez - then saw his captain and Uruguayan striker emerge as central figures in the opening 45 minutes.

It took a fine fingertip save from visiting keeper Tim Howard to stop Gerrard as he surged into the area in the opening minutes and even better follow-up tackle from Jack Rodwell to block Jordan Henderson as he tried to turn in the rebound.

Everton's response came from their most creative area of the pitch as Leighton Baines fashioned an opening that Steven Pienaar drove wastefully high into The Kop.

Moyes disappointed with defending

Howard came to his side's rescue again to block from Suarez as he continued to pose problems with his movement and running.

Liverpool made the breakthrough 11 minutes before the interval, just as their neighbours had finally started to exert a measure of control. Gerrard, inevitably, was the man responsible.

Howard saved Martin Kelly's low shot but Gerrard collected the loose ball and had the vision and touch to lift his shot over Everton's keeper and a collection of retreating defenders into the net.

And any hopes Everton had of making a recovery nose-dived six minutes after the restart when Suarez weaved his way into the area and delivered an invitation Gerrard was never going to refuse as he thumped a finish high past Howard in front of an exultant Kop.

Gerrard delighted with perfect night

Liverpool scented further possibilities, with Carroll shooting just wide and the stretching Kelly only inches away from making a connection in the area with Howard exposed once more.

The visitors' threats had been isolated but Jose Enrique was forced to make a crucial clearance as Rodwell's shot rolled towards goal.

It was the signal for Moyes to send on Jelavic, Leon Osman and Royston Drenthe for Victor Anichebe, Seamus Coleman and Denis Stracqualursi. For Everton, however, there was too much ground to make up.

Moyes's men were reduced to damage limitation but Gerrard was determined to have the final word. And so it proved in the dying seconds, with Suarez once again the provider as he opened up the Blues defence before setting up Gerrard for a simple finish.

Attention will now turn to this weekend's FA Cup quarter-finals when Everton face Sunderland and Liverpool play Stoke. Moyes will hope his ploy of resting key personnel works as his revamped side was outplayed here with ease.

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (4)

Liverpool

  • 25 Reina
  • 03 Jose Enrique Booked
  • 23 Carragher
  • 34 Kelly
  • 37 Skrtel
  • 08 Gerrard
  • 14 Henderson (Kuyt - 72' )
  • 19 Downing
  • 20 Spearing
  • 07 Suarez
  • 09 Carroll

Substitutes

  • 32 Doni
  • 16 Coates
  • 38 Flanagan
  • 11 Maxi
  • 26 Adam
  • 33 Shelvey
  • 18 Kuyt

Everton

  • 24 Howard
  • 02 Hibbert Booked
  • 03 Baines Booked
  • 06 Jagielka
  • 15 Distin
  • 23 Coleman (Drenthe - 61' Booked )
  • 22 Pienaar Booked
  • 25 Fellaini
  • 26 Rodwell
  • 11 Stracqualursi (Osman - 61' )
  • 28 Anichebe (Jelavic - 61' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Mucha
  • 05 Heitinga
  • 18 Neville
  • 10 Drenthe
  • 17 Cahill
  • 21 Osman
  • 07 Jelavic
Ref: Dowd
Att: 44,921

Match Stats

Shots

15 5

On target

10 3

Corners

4 4

Fouls

6 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:06 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +2:53

Assist on the goal came from Luis Suarez.

90:00 +2:53 Goal scored

Goal - Steven Gerrard - Liverpool 3 - 0 Everton A goal is scored by Steven Gerrard from deep inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 3-0 Everton.

90:00 +1:31

Jack Rodwell has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

90:00 +0:38 Booking

Booking Sanchez Jose Enrique booked for unsporting behaviour.

90:00 +0:38 Booking

Booking Tony Hibbert goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.

89:13

Foul by Andy Carroll on Steven Pienaar, free kick awarded. Leighton Baines takes the direct free kick.

88:23

Marouane Fellaini is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.

87:03

Jack Rodwell takes a shot. Blocked by Jamie Carragher.

86:06

Jay Spearing concedes a free kick for a foul on Royston Drenthe. Direct free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.

84:42

Stewart Downing challenges Royston Drenthe unfairly and gives away a free kick. Tony Hibbert restarts play with the free kick.

84:18

Sanchez Jose Enrique takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard.

83:51 Booking

Booking Royston Drenthe is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.

83:39

The ball is swung over by Sanchez Jose Enrique, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.

82:58

The ball is swung over by Martin Kelly, Jack Rodwell makes a clearance.

82:19

Foul by Steven Pienaar on Andy Carroll, free kick awarded. Jose Reina takes the free kick.

79:34

Steven Gerrard sends in a cross, clearance made by Sylvain Distin.

77:48

Shot by Stewart Downing. Blocked by Leon Osman.

77:48 Booking

Booking Leighton Baines goes into the referee's book.

77:32

Foul by Leighton Baines on Luis Suarez, free kick awarded. Steven Gerrard takes the direct free kick.

74:09

Nikica Jelavic is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jose Reina.

72:35

Marouane Fellaini challenges Luis Suarez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed by Steven Gerrard.

71:57 Substitution

Substitution Dirk Kuyt replaces Jordan Henderson.

71:09

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Steven Pienaar, save by Jose Reina.

71:03

The ball is crossed by Tony Hibbert, clearance made by Martin Kelly.

69:42

Shot by Luis Suarez from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

64:12

Sylvain Distin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Carroll. Stewart Downing delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right channel, clearance by Nikica Jelavic.

63:33

Marouane Fellaini is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Jose Reina takes the free kick.

62:28

The assistant referee flags for offside against Andy Carroll. Free kick taken by Phil Jagielka.

60:26 Substitution

Substitution (Everton) makes a substitution, with Nikica Jelavic coming on for Victor Anichebe.

60:26 Substitution

Substitution Leon Osman on for Denis Stracqualursi.

60:26 Substitution

Substitution Seamus Coleman goes off and Royston Drenthe comes on.

60:26

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tony Hibbert on Andy Carroll. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.

60:01

Jack Rodwell takes a shot. Sanchez Jose Enrique manages to make a clearance.

58:46

Jay Spearing produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes wide left of the goal.

58:18

Outswinging corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the right by-line, Marouane Fellaini makes a clearance.

56:41

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.

56:25

The ball is swung over by Jordan Henderson, Phil Jagielka manages to make a clearance.

54:49 Booking

Booking Steven Pienaar is booked.

54:45

Unfair challenge on Jordan Henderson by Steven Pienaar results in a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by Jose Reina.

54:02

Short corner taken by Stewart Downing from the left by-line. Stewart Downing sends in a cross.

53:49

A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, Seamus Coleman gets a block in.

52:25

Effort from deep inside the area by Andy Carroll misses to the right of the goal.

51:32

The referee gives a free kick against Seamus Coleman for handball. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.

50:22

Luis Suarez provided the assist for the goal.

50:22 Goal scored

Goal - Steven Gerrard - Liverpool 2 - 0 Everton Steven Gerrard gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 2-0 Everton.

45:41

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leighton Baines by Jordan Henderson. Free kick crossed by Leighton Baines, clearance by Steven Gerrard.

45:01

The referee gets the second half underway.

45:00 +1:20 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to signal half-time.

43:24

Leighton Baines crosses the ball, Jay Spearing makes a clearance.

42:54

Steven Pienaar fouled by Steven Gerrard, the ref awards a free kick. Tim Howard takes the free kick.

39:47

Steven Gerrard takes the inswinging corner, Denis Stracqualursi manages to make a clearance.

38:53

Steven Gerrard sends in a cross. The referee blows for offside against Andy Carroll. Tim Howard takes the free kick.

38:27

Leighton Baines sends in a cross, Denis Stracqualursi takes a shot. Save made by Jose Reina.

37:20

Martin Kelly produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

36:03

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Victor Anichebe by Martin Kelly. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Howard.

35:53

The ball is sent over by Martin Kelly, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.

35:44

The ball is crossed by Sanchez Jose Enrique, clearance by Sylvain Distin.

33:47

The assist for the goal came from Martin Kelly.

33:47 Goal scored

Goal - Steven Gerrard - Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton Steven Gerrard finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty box high into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 Everton.

33:44

Martin Kelly takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.

32:34

Steven Pienaar produces a cross, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.

31:34

A cross is delivered by Sanchez Jose Enrique, save made by Tim Howard.

30:53

Leighton Baines produces a cross, clearance made by Jamie Carragher.

30:35

The assistant referee flags for offside against Luis Suarez. Indirect free kick taken by Tim Howard.

29:34

Luis Suarez is ruled offside. Tim Howard takes the free kick.

28:39

Inswinging corner taken by Leighton Baines from the right by-line, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.

27:47

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Leighton Baines played to the near post, clearance by Steven Gerrard.

27:38

A cross is delivered by Tony Hibbert, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.

27:06

Luis Suarez is caught offside. Sylvain Distin takes the indirect free kick.

23:00

Steven Pienaar takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, save made by Jose Reina.

22:50

A cross is delivered by Leighton Baines, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.

22:17

The ball is crossed by Tony Hibbert, Martin Skrtel manages to make a clearance.

19:43

Corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line, Jack Rodwell manages to make a clearance.

19:32

Luis Suarez crosses the ball, Marouane Fellaini gets a block in.

18:51

Sanchez Jose Enrique produces a cross, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.

17:22

The assistant referee signals for offside against Stewart Downing. Tim Howard restarts play with the free kick.

11:37

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Save made by Tim Howard.

10:01

The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard.

8:54

Shot from deep inside the area by Steven Pienaar goes over the bar.

7:58

The ball is delivered by Stewart Downing, Sylvain Distin makes a clearance.

7:46

The ball is sent over by Luis Suarez, Sylvain Distin makes a clearance.

6:25

Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Tim Howard makes a save. Jordan Henderson takes a shot. Jack Rodwell gets a block in.

6:25

Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Save by Tim Howard. Jordan Henderson takes a shot. Blocked by Phil Jagielka.

4:19

Sylvain Distin challenges Luis Suarez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Martin Kelly.

1:53

The ball is delivered by Jordan Henderson.

0:29

Jordan Henderson produces a cross, Sylvain Distin manages to make a clearance.

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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