Everton’s DVD production department will be working through the night to produce their latest title ‘The season we took a point off Liverpool‘ but the reds have only themselves to blame for failing to complete a Merseyside double over Kirkby’s next big thing.
Fernando Torres hit the post in the first half, when most of the ground thought he had fired the reds ahead, and Albert Riera should have also put his name on the scoresheet in a first half with few chances for either side. Eventually Steven Gerrard put the reds ahead before a Tim Cahill header sent Everton fans in to the delirium only they can get from taking a point at Anfield. The Hull and Stoke fans were less excited by a point at Anfield, which says a lot about the aspirations of Europe-dodging Everton.
The game started well for Everton. For at least the first 2 minutes they pushed Liverpool back and didn’t cynically foul anybody. Eventually the game settled in to the usual pattern. Liverpool saw plenty of the ball, but as has been so often at Anfield failed to have the killer punch in the final third. The last ball was sloppy and Everton found it easy to defend.
One man they never got a grip of was Torres who was a constant threat. Picking up the ball at one point on the right wing he turned three Everton defenders, avoiding their attempts to foul him to chase down on goal. The reds had their first glimpse when a Sami Hyypia through ball found Torres only for him to fire the ball at the post at the last minute.. Albert Riera had a chance from outside the box but put the ball wide.
In the second half the reds should have been awarded a penalty when Torres was tripped in the area. The referee Howard Webb performed poorly all night – stop starting the derby for inocuous fouls from both sides, but missing some of the bigger decisions.
The reds continued to start brightly in the second half and Everton themselves had a shout for a penalty. Almost immediately after this, and with Robbie Keane having been taken off, Steven Gerrard found the space to fire home in front of the Kop to put the reds ahead.
After this the reds nervousness increased and Torres was withdrawn and Liverpool began to defend deeper and deeper. Eventually Everton landed themselves a free kick outside the corner of the box and whipped in a free kick that met Tim Cahill’s head.
It was a disappointing goal to concede but for the Evertonians this was a belated Christmas present from the red half of Merseyside.
Liverpool fans left in silence.
Liverpool can’t rescue two lost points on Sunday, but they can restore some pride.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera (Babel 89), Keane (Benayoun 67), Torres (Leiva Lucas 85).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Arbeloa, Mascherano.
Goals: Gerrard 68.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Baines, Osman, Arteta, Neville, Pienaar, Cahill, Anichebe.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Van der Meyde, Castillo, Rodwell, Jutkiewicz, Gosling, Kissock.
Booked: Pienaar, Arteta.
Goals: Cahill 87.
Att: 44,382
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
Rafa played too conservative..! should let the Torres play till the end. Our Zonal system of depending is a total failure. Should play man to man marking than players like Cahill will stand no chance.
I cant believe both strikers were taken off. this only allowed Everton to release two more defenders who had been left back to mark Torres to go forward and help there forwards. Once again the boss packed off while in a strong position. This is no way to win the title. If forwards are taken off against Chelsea or M.U in the hope of defending a 1-0 or drawing we will be ripped apart.
GET A GRIP !!!
Doug
It was a stop-start match with so many fouls making the whole thing rather painful for the eyes.As always Gerard got the crucial opener but we were made to pay when they scored with only three minutes left to play.
My concern is that despite having spent heavily in the transfer market on the likes of Babel,Riera and Keane we still totally depend on Torres and Gerard to dig us out of trouble time and time again.Potential champions score from everywhere which is why the Mancs are certain to win the league again because they have what we don’t and that’s the killer instinct!
I don’t expect us to win every home game but we draw too many against mediocre opposition like Wigan and Hull who we should be taking to the cleaners,that will certainly return to haunt us at the end of the season.My heart still wants to believe that we’ve got a chance but the head disagree’s,when the Mancs get aheead they’re very difficult to catch.
GERRARD’S GOAL ROCKED
I didn`t expect to be the first to leave a message, so late after the game, but I suppose its that everyone feels the same way…Gutted… The starting line up, I thought was the best line up we could have had, I think Reina dealt very well with a very quick suface and what must have been a difficult ball to hang on to. I know its stateing the bleedin obvious, but we can`t afford to let any points slip now, sunderland, fulham, blackburn we have to get all points from them and pray for points at man u, chelsea, arsenal and villa…. I have faith in you lads… but why do you have to put me through this..
What is it this season?
We have almost never looked like we were going to be beaten, but in the Premiership we have never looked like we can finish a game off. We time and again get in front and then go to sleep. Last night’s game was no exception. If anybody thought that Everton wouldn’t keep pushing with only 1 goal difference, then they were proved wrong!
What was the score last night?
I came away from Anfield thinkin they had won?
We didnt loose the game and only for a stupid foul with no danger whatsoever we had the game won!!
We have them in the Fa cup now and no doubt we will have a few changes that wont make any difference from last night in fact i could say we coulnt have played any worse than we did last night and am looking forward to it .
cant see them beatin us and we may have to go to thier place in a replay to win it
WE WILL BE IN THE HAT FOR THE NEXT ROUND DRAW
Torres and Keane off. Leaving Benayoun and Kuyt on…How many times have we failed to score with those two on the pitch.
No aerial presence.
No ability to actually get past physical defenders.
This is getting ridiculous. We have the potential but we’re going to need a lot of luck now (and Rafa to stick with Keane and Torres) the plus point is that Torres appears to be getting better following his injuries.
Aaahhhh the frustration