Kelly: We wanted it more
Martin Kelly believes Liverpool's will to win the Merseyside derby coupled with a sensational Steven Gerrard performance proved the decisive factors behind Tuesday night's 3-0 triumph over Everton.
The Reds skipper marked his 400th league appearance by firing a hat-trick that will go down in folklore.
The result ended Liverpool's run of three straight league defeats and afterwards, Kelly insisted everyone within the camp was determined to ensure it was Kopites who retained the local bragging rights over the Blues.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We were all pleased in the dressing room and loving the win. We worked hard for it, made a fast start, got the goals and it was a great performance from our skipper.
"He's the type of player that can change games by himself and I think we worked hard as a team. That showed on the pitch.
"We definitely wanted the game more and the result proved that."
He added: "That was my third derby and it's always good playing in those big games.
"You can feel the atmosphere as you walk out - it's different to other games. It's a local derby and there's a lot riding on it and the bragging rights, and we got them."
Liverpool went into the derby on the back of a disappointing 1-0 reversal at Sunderland on Saturday.
However, the Reds turned in an outstanding performance against Everton and Kelly believes it was the ideal reaction.
The full-back said: "I think it was (the perfect response). We turned it around against Everton - we concentrated on the game and got the result we wanted.
"We'll enjoy the win and then prepare for Sunday, which is another big game against Stoke.
"It's an important win, but it's the same for every Premier League game. You've got to be consistent and we've lacked that a little bit this season, but you can't fault us for putting things behind us and giving the fans what they wanted (against Everton) with a 3-0 win."
The result leaves Liverpool 10 points behind fourth place in the Barclays Premier League with 10 games to go.
Kelly insists no-one is ready to concede the prospect of securing Champions League football, but with an FA Cup quarter-final against Stoke City next up, the Reds are now fully focused on trying to secure a return to Wembley.
"We're not the type to give up," he said. "We'll try our best and see where we finish.
"We'll take each game as it comes - but our next game is Stoke and that's what we've got to concentrate on."