The pressure on Rafael Benitez eased slightly after Liverpool bounced back from Champions League misery with a morale-boosting win over neighbours Everton.

Javier Mascherano’s long range 12th-minute effort, which took a heavy deflection off defender Joseph Yobo, set Liverpool on their way before Dirk Kuyt sealed victory 11 minutes from time.

It was enough to put a smile back on the face of Benitez, who has come under pressure since the five-times European champions were eliminated from the group stages of the Champions League in midweek.

“It was a great victory - everybody is really pleased,” said the Spaniard, who has come under increasing pressure to turn around a disappointing campaign so far this season.“We worked so hard - they were tough and pushing and we did our job in defence and we had to play counter-attack.”

The win lifted Liverpool into the top five while problems continue to mount for Everton, who were the better side for long periods. And even though Toffees boss David Moyes was disappointed with the result, he was pleased with the work his side had put in.

“You have to earn your luck,” said the Scot after the defeat left his side only three points above the relegation zone.

“We worked really hard and I was hoping we’d earn that luck but we didn’t. It was disappointing.

But we also missed some chances.

“The game was tight and I thought we were in the ascendancy in general.

But after the game in the week, the players were asked to show great attitude and endeavour and it was there in abundance,” he added.

Benitez had demanded an aggressive start from his players and he got one as his side took control inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour - thanks to a huge bit of fortune.

Liverpool have found themselves out of luck on the injury front this term but this time it was the Mersey Reds who profited from a stroke of good fortune in the 12th minute as Mascherano took a pot-shot from 25-yards.

The shot was drifting well wide but a heavy deflection off Yobo saw the ball screw past Tim Howard into the net to hand Liverpool the lead.

It was just the start Everton, their confidence fragile following a run of one win in ten outings, did not want.

Moyes’ side refused to fold, and they managed to carve out a string of chances without managing to hurt Liverpool before half time.

The second half saw Everton continue to press, but Liverpool sealed victory in the 79th minute through Kuyt, who scored from close range after Howard had spilled an Albert Riera shot.