FeatureOn this day: The story of how Liverpool overcame Steven Gerrard red card to beat Everton

The Reds beat the Blues 3-1 at Anfield on March 25, 2006, producing an inspired performance of class and willpower to overcome a significant early blow.

Just 18 minutes had elapsed when fired-up captain Steven Gerrard was sent off for a second bookable offence. The derby was goalless at that juncture and remained so until just before half-time when, despite their numerical disadvantage, Rafael Benitez’s team opened the scoring.

Xabi Alonso, arguably Liverpool’s outstanding player on the day, delivered an out-swinging corner towards Luis Garcia at the front post, only for Everton’s Phil Neville to inadvertently glance the ball beyond his goalkeeper Richard Wright.

Then, two minutes into the second half, the Reds further defied the odds by going 2-0 up. Peter Crouch flicked on a long ball from Pepe Reina and there was Garcia, alive to the opportunity and deftly lobbing Wright.

Everton responded and Tim Cahill halved the deficit around the hour mark, but – after Alonso had clipped the crossbar with a free-kick – the visitors’ prospects of recovery were undermined as Andy van der Meyde received his marching orders.

And, late on, Harry Kewell arrowed a brilliant long-range finish into the Kop-end net to rubber-stamp victory for Benitez’s side.

Enjoy the highlights of a memorable derby win below.