Carra rues rare goal against Reds
Jamie Carragher admitted a failure to keep a ninth successive league clean sheet took the shine off Liverpool's derby success at Everton tonight.
Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Djibril Cisse got the goals which gave Rafael Benitez's men victory in the 202nd Merseyside derby.
But James Beattie netted for Everton just before half-time in a 3-1 win for the Reds - the first goal they have conceded in nine Barclays Premiership matches.
And Carragher told Sky Sports afterwards: "It's disappointing to concede just before half-time - we were expecting a battle in the second half but the third goal (by Cisse) killed the game.
"We are disappointed to concede because the aim before the game was to keep a clean sheet and we haven't done it."
(Sporting Life)    

Rafa: We can play a lot better
Rafael Benitez declared himself very happy with Liverpool's Merseyside derby victory over Everton but admitted his team can play a lot better.
Benitez said the 3-1 win over Everton was not Liverpool's best performance of the season but added that confidence is high in his team.
Benitez said: "I am very happy but at times in the first half Everton caused us problems in the air and we were not winning second balls. We can play a lot better and have played better this season."
(LFC Official Website)      
  
Liverpool storm to win at Everton
Liverpool cruised to their ninth successive Premiership victory as struggling Everton's problems piled up.
Peter Crouch's clever finish and Steven Gerrard's deflected 25-yard drive put Liverpool two up inside 17 minutes.
James Beattie, who had a header controversially ruled out, pulled one back four minutes before half-time.
But Djibril Cisse fired in Liverpool's third after 47 minutes and Everton were reduced to nine men when Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta were sent off.
Beattie's header may have ended Liverpool's sequence of 761 minutes of Premiership action without conceding a goal, but it was another impressive performance from Rafael Benitez's rapidly-improving side.
(BBC Sport Online)      
   
Everton v Liverpool - confirmed teams
EVERTON: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir (c), Valente, Davies, Cahill, Arteta, Neville, Kilbane, Beattie.
SUBS: Wright, Bent, McFadden, Ferrari, Osman.

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Warnock, Gerrard (c), Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Cisse, Crouch.
SUBS: Dudek, Riise, Garcia, Josemi, Morientes.
(Kop Talk)  
  
Reina recruits derby scouting help
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina has taken on the role of chief scout in a bid to secure his first Merseyside derby win tonight.
Reina has invited Villarreal skipper Quique Alvarez to stay with him on Merseyside for derby week.
Alvarez was part of the team which defeated Everton in August's Champions League qualifier.
Reina explained: "I have spoken to my friends from Villarreal about the game. Their captain Quique Alvarez is coming to watch the match and will be staying in my house for the next three days.
"I will be looking for fresh information from him about how to beat Everton."
(Liverpool Echo)      
  
Bent's a fan of 'big boy'
Marcus Bent believes there is nothing bigger than the Merseyside derby.
The Everton striker is competing for a starting place in this evening's 202nd meeting with Liverpool.
And he said: "The derby is so important to us. We know exactly what it means to the fans and we value it so highly as well. The win over Liverpool last year was amazing. It would be great to experience that again.
"The derby is different to London because as a youngster I was brought up at Brentford and we had derbies but this is massive.
"This is the big boy. You can't get any bigger than this.
"Everyone will be off work, everyone will be up for it, everyone will be in good spirit."
(Daily Post)

Benitez eyeing another Spain raid
Liverpool are planning another swoop on Spain in the forthcoming transfer window.
Rafael Benitez has set his sights on a double raid on Deportivo La Coruna for defenders Fabricio Coloccini and Cesar.
The Anfield manager is intent on bolstering his defensive options but suffered a setback earlier this week when Spartak Moscow's Nemanja Vidic opted to join Manchester U.(Daily Post)   

Benitez: Europe's Everton problem
Rafael Benitez has revealed he sympathises with David Moyes over Everton's hugely disappointing campaign.
Liverpool travel to Goodison this evening for the 202nd Mersey-side derby looking to extend a run of eight successive Premiership wins.
By contrast, Everton have lost their last two games 4-0 and are just three points above the relegation zone.
And Benitez has a view on just why Everton have struggled since last season's fourth place finish and their first campaign in the Champions League, which turned so sour with their elimination in the third qualifying round and then the exit from the UEFA Cup.
Benitez said: "It is very difficult to play in the Champions League for the first time and then to concentrate on your domestic football.
"You lose some games in the domestic league and you lose some confidence.
"Teams play hard, finish well in the top four and then start thinking about Champions League. Players lose concentration, you can lose a couple of games but must not lose confidence."
(Daily Post)

Rafa: Signing Sissoko was easy
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has taunted Merseyside rivals Everton over the signing of Momo Sissoko.
Everton made a concerted effort to sign the Mali international over the summer, but were beaten to the punch by Liverpool.
"We had an advantage over Everton," said Benitez. "I already knew the player.
"He had good memories of winning trophies with me at Valencia.
"We knew Everton were interested, but it was easy to sign him."
(Sky Sports)     

Benitez in no mood to sit back
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is still demanding improvement from his squad despite the club being on their best league run for 15 years.
The last time they won eight on the trot was at the beginning of the 1990-91 season but with the 202nd Merseyside derby next up tonight Benitez is unwilling to allow his players to ease off.
Their current run of eight successive wins without conceding a goal equals a club clean sheets record set in 1923 and they have now produced their best Premiership start after 16 matches.
And even though they are 10 points better off than they were at the same stage last season, Benitez is looking for improvement.
"The team is improving week after week and now I want to see that continuing right to the end," said the Spaniard.
(Sporting Life)

Confusion over Josemi
Sevilla are still hoping to land Liverpool defender Josemi, but Paco Herrera has cast doubt on the move.
The Liga outfit are hoping to land Josemi and his agent Fernando Redondo has confirmed that his client wants to leave Anfield.
"Josemi spoke with Rafa Benitez before the World Club championships," Redondo told Radio Punto.
"That left the door open for an interesting option that could come for him in January."
Despite the interest from Seville, The Reds' chief scout Paco Herrera claims Josemi's departure is unlikely.
"I do not believe that Rafa Benitez gives him permission to go away," said Herrera.
"He wants two players in each position and at right back he only has him and
[Steve] Finnan."
(Sky Sports)

Thor Zakariassen ©