Review of the Year: February 2010

LIVERPOOL take the honours in a freezing cold, yet strangely heated, Anfield derby. Dirk Kuyt's second half header - his 50th goal for the club - gives Rafa Benitez's men a much-needed 1-0 win.Both sides finish the game with ten men; Sotirios Kyrgiakos is sent off in the first half, with Steven Pienaar - who is earlier lucky to escape a red card for a poor challenge on Javier Mascherano - following him down the tunnel in stoppage time.The result marks something of a watershed for David Moyes' side, as they record impressive home victories over first Chelsea - with Louis Saha scoring twice - and then Manchester United, to fire themselves into European contention.There is European misery for Toffees fans though, as Everton crash out of the Europa League at the first knockout round. After beating Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon 2-1 at Goodison, the Blues collapse 3-0 in the away leg to exit on aggregate. Liverpool, however, book their place in the last 16 with a 4-1 aggregate success over Unirea Urziceni, with a rare Javier Mascherano strike the highlight of an attritional tie.There is mixed news for Steven Gerrard. Having missed out on the England captaincy - with Rio Ferdinand chosen to replace the deposed, and disgraced, John Terry - the Reds skipper can at least console himself with news that he is to be immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds!

Source: Liverpool_Echo