EVERTON completed a double mini-derby victory as the Blues crushed Liverpool reserves for the second time in a week at the Halton Stadium.
Both sides fielded relatively young line-ups, but it was Everton who took control from early on and never looked like losing it.
Nick Chadwick (left) looked back to his very best as he tormented the Reds defence from as early as the 11th minute, forcing a good save from Patrice Luzi.
The Blues were ahead on 20 minutes and Chadwick inevitably was involved, smashing his shot onto the crossbar before the impressive Michael Symes headed home for a goal reminiscent of Paul Rideout's FA Cup goal of 1995.
However Liverpool pulled themselves level within five minutes, as Neil Mellor controlled a cross superbly in front of goal before smashing his shot into the top corner of Steve Simonsen's net.
Liverpool though continued to look shaky at the back and it was no surprise to see the Blues regain the lead on 35 minutes. Michael Symes repaid Chadwick's earlier assist, laying on the cross for the big Blues forward to volley past Luzi.
Two-one down at the break, Liverpool capitulated in the second half and their evening started to go wrong dramatically on 56 minutes when Mellor was taken off with what looked like a bad knock to his left ankle.
Within a minute they were 3-1 behind, as Brian Moogan's cross was headed home by Symes for his second and Everton's third.
Things got quickly worse for the Reds when keeper Patrice Luzi pulled down Symes in the box. The keeper was shown a red card and Nick Chadwick successfully dispatched the penalty to effectively seal the win for Everton.
However the pain wasn't over for Liverpool yet, as on 66 minutes a moment of madness from Markus Babbel saw him first kick the ball away in frustration at conceding a free-kick and then the German international showed a lack of professionalism when he head-butted Michael Symes.
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