Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted his side’s 1-0 win over local rivals Everton was “massive” as he revelled in another derby-day success on Saturday.

A Dirk Kuyt header 10 minutes into second half gave Liverpool a narrow win at Anfield – made all the more pleasing considering they were playing with 10 men for much of the game following the sending off of Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the first half.

Another bonus for Benitez was a clean sheet in the Anfield clash – Liverpool’s fourth on the bounce in the league – and the result leaves them a point clear in fourth with 13 games to go following Aston Villa and Spurs’ goalless draw and Manchester City’s defeat.

“It’s massive for us. To win in a derby is always important and to win with ten players at Anfield makes it even more important,” Benitez said.

“The people are really, really pleased and I’m pleased for the players and the fans, because everyone was working so hard. We deserved to win.

“From the beginning we did well in terms of work-rate and after the sending-off it was amazing to see all the players working so hard defending and also trying to go forward and score goals.”

Liverpool head to the Emirates to tackle Arsenal on Wednesday (Liverpool 5/2, Arsenal 10/11, the draw 9/4 in the match list) looking for what would be a huge three points as their quest for a top-four finish intensifies.