Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes the win over Everton should be the catalyst for a sustained challenge for the Premiership title. The England star has now challenged his team-mates to maintain the standard they have set themselves with the derby day victory.

"The victory was probably our best performance of the season," said Gerrard.

"We had been winning games but stumbling along, but this has set the standard now and if we can continue that level then we will certainly be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

"We controlled the game all the way through. It was a statement of our intentions.

"We were together, played some terrific football and the performance showed how frustrated we were not to take maximum points from Stoke the previous weekend."