Everton 0 Liverpool 2:THERE IS a chasm where the Merseyside divide used to be and it exceeds the respective wealth, quality and standing of both sides. While Everton do not know where they are heading as a club, Liverpool are beginning to believe they are finally becoming genuine title challengers.

In two demanding weeks Rafael Benitez's men have taken their cherished scalps of Manchester United and their local rivals, the latter with a performance far superior to the gritty display that did for Alex Ferguson at Anfield and with an ease that is becoming the norm whenever they saunter across Stanley Park. The sweat that poured off the Liverpool manager's brow having climbed six flights of stairs to address the press afterwards was a rare show of discomfort in these parts.

Amid the praise rightly bestowed on Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard, Benitez was at pains to highlight the stalemate with Stoke City as a salutary lesson to those who claim Liverpool have eradicated their weaknesses in one summer. It would be foolish to ignore the Spaniard's warning with Liverpool's often torrid winter yet to come but equally remiss to overlook the consistency, confidence and a display against Everton that, should it continue, will place Anfield where it has demanded to be this season - in the mix.

"That was a statement from us as a performance," said Gerrard, denied his 100th Liverpool goal by the impressive Tim Howard.

"It was a terrific performance, our best display of the season so far, and it said something about where we are heading. If we can keep playing like that, then we will be right there at the end of the season."

Torres put the seal on a comfortable Liverpool afternoon with three immaculate finishes - though only two counted - which confirmed his return to form and that, despite his angelic features, he is not a man to rile into action. A booking for dissent saw to that and, 10 minutes later, he wrecked David Moyes's damage-limitation game plan with a volley under Howard from Keane's delicate cross to the far post. Three minutes later he was first on the scene to sweep Phil Jagielka's tackle on Dirk Kuyt into the top corner.

Again, Keane was instrumental in the build-up. It is now 10 outings and no goals for Liverpool's €25 million summer signing but Keane's movement and creativity was one problem too many for Everton's generous defence. Consequently Gerrard's role as captain was not confined to the pitch.

"We got in the dressingroom and I sat by Robbie and just said, 'You were magnificent'," said the midfielder. "I know Fernando was class and showed how deadly he can be, but Robbie was an equally genuine contender for the man-of-the-match award.

"His passes for the two goals were from the top drawer. Everyone else is talking about Robbie's need to score, but not us. That doesn't matter in the slightest because he has been a match winner for us without scoring."

How Moyes must wish for such trifling problems. The start of a defining week in Everton's season - they face Standard Liege in the Uefa Cup on Thursday - merely entrenched the view that his club are drifting dangerously on and off the pitch. The manager is not entirely blameless, with his despondent demeanour reflected in his players to a greater extent than the delay over his contract.

The late release of transfer funds and even later signings gives Moyes valid reasons for his side's failure to gel but do not excuse Everton's tactics in the 206th Merseyside derby and basic deficiencies. Their main plan of attack against Liverpool centred on set-pieces or hopeful punts towards the woeful Yakubu Ayegbeni.

Other than Marouane Fellaini Everton were consistently wasteful in possession.

A harsh red card for Tim Cahill, for a foul on Xabi Alonso, could not divert from the gulf on display.

Moyes, whose current deal expires next summer, said: "Possibly it is spreading uncertainty through the club, yes, and it is something that needs to be addressed. I think both parties are aware that it has to be sorted, it has to be done, and hopefully there will be some news soon."

Guardian Service