Fernando Torres shrugged off his Euro 2008 hangover to score twice to beat 10-man Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby.
The Spain international had managed just one goal all season before Saturday's match.
He got himself booked at Goodison Park, argued with referee Mike Riley about the heavy-handed treatment he was getting from Everton's defenders and then hit back where it hurts.
Torres volleyed home his first after 59 minutes and cracked in the second three minutes later.
Everton have still to win at home this season and had Tim Cahill sent off with 10 minutes to go to cap a miserable day for David Moyes' side.
The hosts had full-back Tony Hibbert back for the first time this season after a knee ligament operation in the summer, while midfielder Mikel Arteta had recovered from a virus to play.
Liverpool were without Javier Mascherano, with a calf problem, and fielded the side that drew 0-0 with Stoke last weekend.
An interested observer in the directors' box was Standard Liege boss Laszlo Boloni, who was preparing for this week's UEFA Cup tie but also watching former player Marouane Fellaini in his first derby.
The midfielder probably won his move to Goodison Park after two excellent performances against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Fellaini was first into referee Mike Riley's book after just nine minutes for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa.
Everton should have been ahead after 14 minutes when Cahill failed to make a decent connection to Arteta's corner from just six yards.
With Ayegbeni Yakubu up front and Arteta and Cahill attacking from deep it meant Liverpool had the majority of possession as Everton sat back and tried to hit them on the break.
It almost succeeded after 26 minutes when Joleon Lescott's cross was dropped by Jose Reina under minimal pressure from Fellaini, who spun to strike a fierce shot that Jamie Carragher somehow blocked on the line.
But referee Riley had spotted an infringement and awarded a free-kick.
Xabi Alonso was booked for blocking an Arteta run on the right before Robbie Keane almost created a scoring opportunity for Dirk Kuyt, arriving late in the box.
Yakubu was booked three minutes into the second half for diving in the box having pushed the ball past Martin Skrtel before plunging to the floor.
Two minutes later Riley booked Torres, who had questioned the referee's decisions throughout the first half, for a foul on Lescott.
But the Spaniard finally channelled his annoyance into the game and saw a 20-yard strike go just wide before Gerrard was much closer from slightly further out.
Albert Riera should have done better when presented with a shooting chance by Keane but when Torres was denied a clear opportunity, having shrugged off Phil Jagielka, Riley was again on his case, awarding a fortunate free-kick to the hosts.
But after 59 minutes Torres got his own back. Arbeloa robbed Arteta far too easily on the touchline and quick passing involving Riera and Alonso released Keane on the left.
The Irishman's cross to the far post was met beautifully on the volley by Torres to beat Tim Howard.
Three minutes later Torres was celebrating again. Liverpool surged forward again and when Jagielka's tackle 10 yards out stopped Keane in his tracks, the ball fell for Torres to smash into the top corner.
Torres scored again seconds later but the effort was ruled out by referee Riley.
Arbeloa was booked after 85 minutes for a retaliatory kick at Cahill after a tussle between the pair before Yakubu missed an open goal as Leon Osman's cross flashed in front of him.
Five minutes later Cahill was sent off. Referee Riley showed him a red card for a late challenge on Alonso.
It was the eighth red card in the last eight derbies, and the 17th in 33 Premier League clashes between the clubs.
Substitute Louis Saha fired a 25-yard shot just wide in the dying minutes but that was the closest Everton came all time.
