Red Rain Falls Over Goodison Park

It was reported that Stevie G had given his team mates a good talking too before the game started. Apparently, you did not need to be able to lip read to understand the words that he used. I laughed to myself and just hoped that it would sink in.

The game then started with Everton kicking off and immediately the tackles began. It became clear that neither team was going to give the other an easy ride. As I watched it became clear that it was like an old fashioned football game, plenty of passing, chasing and tackling and a referee that seemed to be more concerned with letting the game flow than booking players for silly incidents. Although Everton were passing well, it seemed that for once our defence was awake and managed to keep the ball away from the goal mouth. Then it happened, the ball had been returned to our players and was quickly picked up by Mascherano who taking a chance on a long ball aimed for the goal. It went in and Liverpool was now one up. The look on his face said it all as he pulled his shirt up and kissed the club badge. He was as ecstatic as the supporters in the ground. We were now leading in the Merseyside Derby and it felt great. Unfortunately, the commentator quickly said that the goal would go before the dubious goals committee as it appeared to be an Everton own goal. I sincerely hope that it is proved otherwise and Mascherano is allowed to claim it as his.

Although they were not playing that well, Liverpool it appeared had risen to the occasion and were doing all they could to ensure that Everton did not equalise. Jamie Carragher, Lucas and Glen Johnson were it appeared having a good day in the defence although I must admit I had to bite my lip a couple of tips due to the old favourite - zonal marking. For once though, the players appeared to have it under control and still Everton could not get through, or so Liverpool thought. After earlier making a couple of good saves Pepe Reiner found himself in trouble and it was only due to the quick thinking of Glen Johnson that Liverpool remained in the lead. The first half by now was coming to a close although Everton had by now appeared to have gained more confidence and were having an onslaught on the goal. This led to two goals which were disallowed, both due to Jo being offside. Although I am not a blue, I do wonder if he actually knows where offside on the pitch is, or was it just the atmosphere and occasion that made him forget. The half though finished with Liverpool going in, soaked through and happy, with a one goal cushion.

Liverpool kicked off the second half and with it minutes old, Jamie was bought down. As in the first half, Alan Wiley did nothing and let the play continue. They seemed to take command of the game very quickly and had some very good periods of passing play. Stevie G who had, had a very quiet game did have a couple of goes at the goal but due I guess to his lack of match fitness was wide of the mark each time.
Everton who were now beginning to show signs of tiring, then had a spell of the ball which ended in a spell of play that proved what a good goalkeeper Reina was. He saved a really good shot and then unfortunately dropped the ball before looking down and saving it again. During the next spell of play Lucas went up to Alan Wiley with what looked like a cut face, although it appeared that Alan Wiley had seen the incident as it happened yet again he did nothing and the game fast approached the magic sixty minute mark.

Strangely though, it was Everton that made the first substitution when Saha was bought on for Jo. This had an immediate effect for Everton and they surged forward with him missing a chance due to one of the minor mistakes that our defence made today. The clock was now reading seventy five minutes when Rafa decided to replace Ngog with Benayoun and I wondered if he would again rescue us and score a late goal. It was as it turned out not going to be his day, although he quickly joined in the play, there were no chances for his to hit home. This fell to Dirk Kuyt shortly after Aurelio was substituted by Riera. Play had quickly continued and Dirk Kuyt had got hold of the ball, a quick run and he aimed. As he ran away from the goalmouth, arms in the air and celebrating with his team mates, I was screaming at the television with tears running down my face. We were two nil up and it looked as though we were going to win not only the game, but the Merseyside Derby. Everton then made their last substitution and played with what little strength they had left, thankfully though as the clock ticked down and three minutes extra time was announced, they did not find the net. The game finished with the strains of You'll Never Walk Alone being heard from the away supporters.

It had turned out to be a wonderful afternoon, Liverpool although not playing as well as they can have won and were now fifth in the premiership. Is this the start of our great recovery, I sincerely hope so. If the team can continue with the wins, then a top four place is extremely likely and perhaps the pressure will come off Rafa Benitez.

Then just as the after match interviews had finished, the draw for the third round of the FA cup was announced. We are playing Reading away. Will this be an easy game that I don't honestly know? A couple of seasons ago Reading were a Premiership team and could rise to the occasion, now we are going to visit them as an unknown entity but it should make a good game and hopefully Liverpool will come out as the winners. The FA Cup is I believe extremely important to English football and it would be lovely to see it Liverpool's trophy cabinet at the end of the season