Liverpool smash four past Everton in demolition derby

Divock Origi and Mamadou Sakho opened the scoring just before half-time, with Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho adding second half goals against an Everton side who had to play 40 minutes with 10-men after Ramiro Funes Mori's dismissal.

The match grew to resemble a training exercise in the later stages as Liverpool took more than 30 shots on goal.

Everton, who have an FA Cup semi-final to come, the defeat could scarcely have come at a worse time - while Liverpool fans will be buoyant after yet more evidence that Jurgen Klopp is turning the Reds into a side to be feared for the first time in a generation.

In the 226th meeting between these bitter rivals, Liverpool and Everton both came out with intent to attack, and we all know what that means where the Toffees are involved.

The hosts dominated the first half, but their opener came out of nowhere, with defensive frailties once again Everton’s undoing.

James Milner clipped an innocuous-looking cross into the box for Origi to head home in the 43rd minute, but how he was allowed to get up above two Everton defenders will infuriate Martinez.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors, as Sakho headed home from two yards out in first-half stoppage time, but once again the marking left much to be desired.

Milner has now made eight assist in 2016 – more than any other player – but he won’t get many easier such opportunities to deliver into the box.

After nine Merseyside derbies without a red card, Funes Mori received his marching orders just after the interval for a dangerous-looking tackle on Origi, who was stretchered off, and Liverpool turned on the style to compound the travelling Toffees’ misery.

Sturridge expertly converted a third - his 50th for the club - after John Stones had inexplicably given the ball away in the middle of the park, before Coutinho drilled a fourth as Everton floundered.

37 attempts at goal from Liverpool is as one-sided as it gets, and they can now fully focus on their upcoming Europa League semi-final, but Everton’s demise continues, with time running out for Martinez to turn it around.

How much longer does Martinez get? No wins in seven for Everton now, but it was embarrassing how meek the Toffees were in such a big game. Defensive problems have plagued Roberto Martinez’s side all season, and the derby demolition was a microcosm of their frailties this campaign. They gave the ball away in dangerous areas, marking was almost non-existent and if it wasn’t for Joel Robles, and some lacklustre Liverpool finishing, it could have been a cricket score at Anfield. Huge game for Martinez at Wembley on Saturday. If he loses, he could well be relieved of his duties.

James Milner. Four assists in his last two league outings for the Liverpool skipper, who has stepped up to the plate when called upon. His performances are often overlooked, but in Jurgen Klopp’s free-spirited system, Milner is showing that he can create openings as often as the best providers in the Premier League.

Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Clyne 7, Sakho 8, Lovren 7, Moreno 7, Lucas 7, Milner 9, Lallana 8, Firmino 8, Coutinho 8, Origi 7... Subs: Sturridge 8, Allen 7, Ibe 6.

Everton: Robles 7, Oviedo 3, Stones 4, Funes Mori 3, Baines 5, McCarthy 6, Barry 5, Lennon 4, Barkley 6, Mirallas 4, Lukaku 4... Subs: Cleverley 5, Besic 5, Pienaar 5.

6’ - SAVE! Huge opportunity for LIverpool. All Oviedo's doing, as he gets a clearance all wrong, before playing Adam Lallana onside, allowing the England midfielder to have a clear run at goal, but Joel Robles spreads himself superbly to block.

23’ - CLOSE! Lallana again with the chance, but he guides a header just wide. He just uses the pace on the ball, but it lacked direction.

30’ - SAVE! Robles again to the rescue. Stones plays Firmino onside, the Brazilian latches on to Milner's ball over the top, but can't beat Robles, who sticks out a leg to deny Liverpool again.

43’ - GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Everton. In his first Merseyside derby, Origi heads the hosts in front. Goal came out of nothing really. Milner twisted and turned to make space for the cross, lofted an innocuous-looking ball into the box, Robles stays on his line, allowing Origi to leap highest and guide a header into the top corner.

45+2’ - GOAL! LIverpool 2-0 Everton. Another goal, another header. Sakho this time converts from a few yards to double Liverpool's advantage. James Milner plays a lovely one-two, clips the ball to the back-post, where Mamadou Sakho is waiting to head home from two yards, unmarked.

49’ - RED CARD! Funes Mores gets a straight red card here! He did catch Origi with his studs up, but not sure that warranted a straight red card! Replays show it was dangerous, but referee Madley has really laid down a marker now. Origi is down.

60’ - GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Everton. Game over. Great finish from Sturridge to make sure of the three points. Too easy again. Stones with the wayward pass, ball breaks for Lucas, he threads it through for Sturridge, who takes a brilliant first touch before finishing expertly.

76’ - GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Everton. Now it is four. Painful for Everton. Brilliant finish from Coutinho. Nightmare for Everton. Allen lays the ball across for Coutinho, who shifts the ball out of his feet and smashes it low into the bottom corner.

90+2’ - CLOSE! Lallana does really well to thread the ball through for Coutinho who elects to chip Robles, but just gets too much on it.

There have now been 21 red cards in the Merseyside derby in Premier League history, more than any other fixture (14 Everton, 7 Liverpool).

Against no other side has Daniel Sturridge has scored more goals in the Premier League than he has against Everton (6).

Everton’s two heaviest Premier League Merseyside derby defeats have both been under Roberto Martinez and both at Anfield (4-0 in January 2014).