The 203rd meeting between the city rivals saw an own-goal by Phil Neville and a Luis Garcia strike send Liverpool on their way after England midfielder Gerrard was dismissed by referee Phil Dowd for two bookable offences in the space of a minute when the match was goalless.

Kewell's fellow Australia international Tim Cahill pulled a goal back for Everton just after the hour mark but the Toffees were themselves reduced to 10 men when Dutch midfielder Andy van der Meyde received a straight red card for elbowing Xabi Alonso in an aerial challenge.

Liverpool dug deep to carve out an impressive victory which saw them leapfrog Manchester United, who host Birmingham City on Sunday, into second spot in the Premiership table.

Neville will be glad to see the back of Liverpool for another season. Having been sent-off in December when the sides last met at Goodison Park, the England defender headed Xabi Alonso's corner into the back of his own net on the stroke of half-time.

Garcia then produced a delightful piece of quality in the 47th minute, the Spaniard gliding past Gary Naysmith before lobbing the ball over the head of advancing goalkeeper Richard Wright following Peter Crouch's flick.

Cahill reduced the deficit to set up a grandstand finish but Liverpool remained gritty to the end to secure three vital points.

Even after Cahill had netted his eighth goal of the season after nodding Leon Osman's 61st minute corner past Jose Reina, Liverpool carved out a number of chances and could have won by a more handsome margin.

Alonso shaved the crossbar from outside the area before in-form winger Kewell brought the save of the match from Wright with 20 minutes remaining.

Any hopes Everton had of salvaging a point went when van der Meyde was ordered off 18 minutes from time after an X-rated challenge on Alonso.

Kewell then wrapped up Liverpool's victory with a stunning 85th minute finish, which curled away from Wright to deal a serious blow to Everton's UEFA Cup hopes.