Half-Time Report: Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez give Liverpool 2-1 half-time derby lead

Liverpool go into the half-time break 2-1 up against Everton thanks to goals from Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez in a pulsating first 45 minutes.

With just five minutes on the clock, Suarez flicked Steven Gerrard's corner into the path of Coutinho, who had time to take a touch before sweeping the ball past Tim Howard to give the away side an early lead.

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However, Everton were level less than three minutes later. Leighton Baines swung a free kick deep into the Liverpool penalty area, where Ross Barkley prodded the ball into the direction of Kevin Mirallas, who escaped the attentions of Gerrard to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

The equaliser put the Goodison Park faithful in good voice, and only a last minute-intervention by Simon Mignolet prevented Romelu Lukaku from putting the Toffees ahead in the 11th minute.

Everton were only level for 10 minutes, as Suarez bent a 25-yard free kick around the outside of the wall and into the bottom corner of Howard's net to give Liverpool the lead once more.

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At the other end, Barkley's inswinging cross-cum-shot from the left flank was tipped wide by a sprawling Mignolet as Everton looked to hit back immediately for a second time.

The 20-year-old then picked up a booking for a dive, and Mirallas also entered Phil Dowd's book for a high, late challenge which left Suarez with visible stud marks on his thigh as the first period ended with tempers beginning to flare.