Liverpool wins over 10-man Wolves

Liverpool wins over 10-man Wolves

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (L) jumps above Wolverhampton Wanderers players to score during their English Premier League soccer match in Liverpool, northern England, December 26, 2009.

LONDON, Dec. 26 -- Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun scored in second half to hand Liverpool a 2-0 win over 10-man Wolves at Anfield on Saturday.

The Reds were frustrated by Mick McCarthy's team until referee Andre Marriner sent Stephen Ward off just after the interval.

Argentinian left back Insua burst clear down the left and floated a cross over that Gerrard reached first to head into the corner of Hahnemann's net.

Gerrard scored his first goal in almost two months, his fifth in Premier League, to put Liverpool ahead.

With 20 minutes remaining, Aurelio's cross from the left beat everyone in the area and Benayoun's shot deflected off George Elokobi to double the Reds lead, who captured only fourth win of their previous 17 games.

With Alberto Aquilani making his first Premier League start five months after joining in a 20-million-pound deal from Roma, Liverpool totally dominated the opening quarter of the match.

Fabio Aurelio's floated free kick was held by Wolves' goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann with just a minute on the clock.

As Liverpool continued to control the game, Emiliano Insua sent Fernando Torres wide on the left but the Spaniard cut in to hit a powerful drive at the near post that was pushed away by Hahnemann.

Liverpool were handed a numerical advantage when Ward was sent off, despite referee Marriner initially showing a card to the wrong player.

Ward had already been booked for tugging at Yossi Benayoun moments before he tripped Lucas. Marriner mistakenly showed Christophe Berra the yellow card before consulting with his linesman and sending Ward off.

That proved to be the turning point and, just after the hour, Liverpool finally managed to take the lead.

Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun (L) celebrates with Steven Gerrard after scoring during their English Premier League soccer match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Liverpool, northern England, December 26, 2009.

Liverpool's Daniel Agger (R) challenges Wolverhampton Wanderers' Kevin Doyle during their English Premier League soccer match in Liverpool, northern England, December 26, 2009.
(Reuters)