IT IS now certain that Liverpool's famous resolve will be tested to its very limit after a black night on the blue half of Merseyside. That they now defeat Manchester United on home soil this weekend is imperative if they are, indeed, to return the title to Anfield for the first time in seven seasons.

It is a task made all the more daunting all the more demanding, not so much by the careless loss of two more points, but by the imminent loss of their most accomplished and influential individual player, Robbie Fowler.

As this predictably frenetic parochial squabble edged towards its climax, Fowler, along with Everton defender David Unsworth, was sent off by referee Stephen Lodge after a bout of bare knuckle boxing.

The pair had spent most of the evening squaring up to each other the surprise being that they waited until seven minutes before the end before pressing flesh, an unpleasant Unsworth tackle acting as the catalyst. Having been dismissed for violent conduct Fowler, the scorer of 30 goals this season, will now definitely be suspended for the final three games of his club's campaign. He will be missing - and will be sadly missed - against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, Wimbledon at Selhurst Park and Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Worse news may follow for the England international forward. As be walked towards the dressing rooms his composure deserted him for a second time and he clearly lunged again at Unsworth, a childish and unprovoked action which could well precipitate a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

"He is our top striker and to lose him for three games would be a huge blow," conceded Liverpool manager Roy Evans. "It would seem that the consequences for him are quite serious, but that is something we cannot control. If the referee had seen the initial foul and blown for it, it wouldn't have happened," he added.

Liverpool had arrived at Goodison Park with their destiny in their own hands. They retreated back across Stanley Park fearful, knowing that they could overwhelm the old enemy from Old Trafford on Saturday morning and yet still be denied the Premiership.

Had luck favoured the overtly skilful rather than the grimly committed, they would, possibly, have won by a distance. But they did not and Everton's commendable and courageous rally leaves them - two points adrift of United having played one game more.

Where Merseyside derbies are concerned there, really is nothing quite like kicking your opponent when he is on a high. Everton made no apologies for removing the iron fist from within the velvet glove times are hard and it is just their way. Liverpool knew what to expect and they will not have been, disappointed.

Everton flooded midfield, snapped and snarled at passing traffic, thus ensuring the game was played at such a furious pace that thoughtful football was a luxury no one could afford.

Liverpool have not beaten Everton for more than three years but there was more urgency to their football than is normal on such occasions and having negotiated safe passage through an uncomfortable early spell, they seized control.

With possession came chances but the breakthrough they deserved was to be delayed until the 2 6th minute. A little gem of a goal it was, too, Jamie Redknapp sliding home after Steve McManaman and Fowler had combined effortlessly to cut a swathe through the blue back line.

In truth, it seemed. that Everton's best chance of recovery lay not at the feet of their forwards but rather in the unreliable, flapping hands of Liverpool goalkeeper David James who still apparently sees himself as more juggler than last line of defence.

Everton's attacks lacked creativity but then, with 25 minutes to go, the unthinkable. Duncan Ferguson, made something glorious out of something innocuous, turning smartly to steer a left foot shot just inside a post.

A fabulous strike but not, according to Evans, a fatal blow to Liverpool's aspirations. "Who knows, this might just be the point that wins the title for us," he said. was pleased with our attitude."

Everton caretaker manager and captain Dave Watson said of the flare up that led to the sendings off: "I don't know if the referee saw punches flying, but I wish the referees would try to put themselves in the players' shoes for 10 seconds - because that's all it takes for something like that to happen.