Memory Match: Liverpool v Everton, 25 March 2006

Niels Hofma
Steven Gerrard: Saw red on this day 10 years ago

Steven Gerrard: Saw red on this day 10 years ago

Our new feature Memory Match delves into the archives to recall a famous match on this day in history. This time the focus is on the 2006 Merseyside derby – and the sending off of a certain Liverpool legend.

Liverpool 3 Everton 1

Merseyside derbies have always been known for their fight, aggression, intensity, will-to-win and…..red cards. The derby is the clash in England with the most red cards given, and this day in March of 2006 was no different. On 18 minutes Steven Gerrard was sent off after his second yellow following a bad challenge on Kevin Kilbane. In the second half Everton substitute Andy van der Meyde also got his marching orders after getting his second yellow.

Despite missing their captain, Liverpool ceased the initiative with an own goal by Everton’s Phil Neville just before half-time; the former Manchester United player heading a John Arne Riise corner past Richard Wright in the Everton goal.

Liverpool: Celebrating Kewell's goal

Any hopes of a rare Everton win at Anfield became even more dire for the Toffees when Spanish technician Luis Garcia latched on to a Peter Crouch header and lobbed the ball over Wright for a well-taken second.

David Moyes altered his side to try and fashion a way back into the match and, after a Tim Cahill goal on 61 minutes, he brought on striker Duncan Ferguson and Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde. But the Dutchman – considered a massive flop during his time at Goodison – was a bit too eager and got send off after a stray elbow in an aerial challenge.

Liverpool were not finished though as Harry Kewell brilliantly fired past Wright from outside the box just before his own withdrawal for defender Stephen Warnock.

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Kewell, Crouch.

Everton: Wright, Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Naysmith, Osman, Cahill, Neville, Kilbane, Beattie, McFadden.

What they said

Moyes and Benitez: On the touchline

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez talked about Steven Gerrard’s sending off after the game:

“We must learn, Steven and all the players, that you can play with the brain as well as the heart.

“It is important in every game. Steven is truly disappointed but happy for the team.

“He knows it created a difficult situation for the team and we must learn for the future.”

Everton manager David Moyes was disappointed that his side couldn’t break down 10-men Liverpool: 

“That was a missed opportunity. Against 10 men we should have taken control.

“We were doing fine until we conceded an own goal just before half-time and another two minutes after the break.

“All we had said at the break was of no use, we were suddenly 2-0 down having been looking forward to playing against 10 men for the final 45 minutes.”