Rush delighted for Stevie
Ian Rush may have lost his record as the last Liverpool player to score a league hat-trick against Everton, but the Anfield legend says he's delighted for the man who took it from him on Tuesday night.
A delicate chip from the edge of the area, a rasping strike in front of the Kop followed by a late tap-in ensured Steven Gerrard became the first Red since Rush in 1982 to put three past the neighbours in the top-flight.
And the Welshman, who scored 25 of his 346 Liverpool goals against Everton, knows just how fulfilling a derby treble can be.
"Records are there to be broken and I was delighted to see Steven take that one off me," Rush told the Liverpool Echo. "It was a special night for Steven and he deserves it. He took his goals brilliantly and it was reward for a really good team performance.
"I got four at Goodison back in '82 and the fans still sing about that now. The derbies mean so much and there's no better game in which to get a hat-trick.
"It was typical Stevie, driving forward, inspiring everyone around him and leading by example. It's great to see him back on top form."
"He has achieved so much but he still has years left in him and I know he's hungry to win more trophies. Winning the Carling Cup was great but he wants more. He will certainly go down as a legend in the club's history."
"He had a tough time with injuries last year but I always knew he would get back to that level. There isn't a better midfielder than Steven in this country and he showed that against Everton."
Rush put four past Everton at Goodison Park in the famous 5-0 rout in 1982 but he knows that, just like back then, derby victories are about the team effort rather than the individual.
And the Welshman was thrilled by the combination between Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and the skipper Gerrard.
Suarez played a crucial role in all three of Liverpool's goals and Carroll was formidable in the air, bringing his teammates into play.
"I was really impressed with the three of them against Everton," said Rush. "I was made up with Andy Carroll. He worked so hard, put himself about and his link-up play was fantastic. He just needs a goal.
"Luis Suarez caused Everton a lot of problems and looked back to his best. It was very unselfish the way he laid the ball back for Steven to complete his hat-trick.
"The three of them haven't spent much time together on the pitch but the more they play together the better the understanding will be. If they continue to perform like that then I'm convinced the goals will start to flow on a regular basis."