Merseyside derby: expect the unexpected

By Emerald Gao
Written on September 9, 2006

As an out-of-towner, it's a little bit difficult to grasp the full reality of the Merseyside derby, the complete experience of it. Historically it's the "Friendly Derby" or some such crap, but the relationship between the fans, at least, hasn't lived up to that moniker in recent times. Liverpudlians are the smug bastards, and Evertonians are the bitterest of bitters. They call us murderers; we hold up five fingers (or sometimes just one). It's still Liverpool's biggest rivalry, though, and I respect that, but surely I would feel it more if I were a proper Scouser? I wonder if other foreign fans feel the same way, specifically Man U fans with Citeh.

It was a bright start for the Reds as Robbie Fowler took the first shot almost stright away, forcing Howard into an early save. Everton were always up for the game, though, and with Johnson's pace causing problems for the Liverpool defense, they were able to break the deadlock halfway through the first half with a well-worked goal. Johnson got the ball out to Carsley, whose ball in was flicked on by Johnson to Osman; he successfully challenged Finnan for the ball, and Cahill was left open by the penalty spot to clean up afterward.

It wasn't a crushing blow to the Reds' confidence, but it did throw off their rhythm for a few minutes. But they soon found space again in the midfield, with one particular play by Finnan and Garcia that allowed the latter to float a ball across the Everton box, which Howard got a hand to. It looked like it was going out for a corner, but Gerrard somehow stuck out his right leg at the near post and nearly put in the rebound.

All of these half-chances suggested that maybe an equalizer was on the cards, but Everton capitalized on some shocking complacency in the Liverpool defense to record a second goal. It was Johnson in the attack again, outpacing Hyypia and getting past an uncharacteristically toothless challenge by Carra to pounce on the loose ball. Reina, again, had no chance.

Rafa Benitez's second tactical mistake this season, then, seems to be a worrying display of sentimentality; Fowler was an optimistic choice but a gamble nonetheless, while fielding Carra at all was a mistake, in my opinion. I'd rather have him fully fit and raring to go against PSV than half-fit in the Merseyside derby. In a similar vein, Rafa really needs to stop relying on last season's lineup (see also: Sheff Utd.) to do the job, where there are new, hungry players to be blooded. Alonso is clearly not at his best; he's been woefully outmuscled here, but we could see it coming from the very first game. And honestly, why the hell are the wide players sitting on the bench? Pennant could have offered more penetration on the wing, while Agger surely could have done a job in the defense, given his recent performances.

There. All of my frustrations laid out on the table. I wanted to see more attacking, nonstop attacking. I wanted the visiting fans to be chanting "two-nil, and you fucked it up" at the 90th minute. But there were no changes at halftime, so it looked like Rafa was giving them a chance to make up for their first half performance.

What worries me is how ineffective Liverpool's backline have now become; last season's surefootedness has melted away into a cariacture of itself. We can blame injuries for now, but even before Carra and Riise got tweaked, they hadn't looked the best.

Everton, pinned back for most of the second half, nearly got another backbreaker through Naysmith, whose first shot was blocked by Alonso, but his follow-up attempt was too high. If that had gone in, Reina could be counted unlucky, but only a minute later, he committed the worst goalkeeping error I've seen from him yet. Carsley took a speculative shot from 25 yards, and while Pepe's initial block was a good one, for some reason he chose to try a basketball move by popping the ball, instead of catching or even punching it. And Johnson, like any good goalscorer with height and bulk, was there to punish him for his mistakes.

But hey, I'm not a true Liverpudlian. I don't have to go to work on Monday and take stick from my co-workers; I don't have to avoid my neighbors in the street. And although I wouldn't say Everton deserved this result, they certainly made a concerted effort, and they look strong so far this season. Johnson was a really astute signing for them, and could be the edge up front that they've lacked these past few seasons. Maybe it would mean more if I couldn't admit that in public, but hey, I'm not bitter like Evertonians usually are. Not today, though. Today they're celebrating, but we've got other things to look forward to. The one good thing about this result is, maybe it's the kick in the teeth that the team needed, kind of like the Chelsea result at home last season, and they'll finally pull themselves together. PSV awaits.

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