We have recently been hit by some very unfavorable luck in recent times, but this weekend’s derby game at Goodison saw a turn of the tide in our favour. The harsh and admittedly unjustified sending off of Jack Rodwell on the 23rd minute (Ref Atkinson was only a few metres away) paved the way for a much needed and all important victory which gave all Reds fans bragging rights until the next encounter at the more friendly confines of Anfield Road.
I believe Luis Suarez got the Man of the Match award but in my book I think Lucas Leiva was our best player. Mark my words, this blonde Brazilian will become a Liverpool great. He was tremendous in midfield both in acting as a buffer in front of the back four, as well as in participating in the vast majority of the attacking moves. All in all the Reds had a decent game, but I did not get too over excited by the display. Let’s just say that once Everton were down to 10 and they decided to move back 30 metres and work on the counter, it became more of a blissful downhill glide rather than a searing derby battle.
With one player off for our opponents and a penalty (legitimate) coming our way I told myself ‘Must be the glorious British weather!’, but then Howard saved (rather than Kuyt missed) the penalty and I said ‘With all this good fortune are we going to get a slap in the face?’ Luckily Kenny thought better to bring in two fresh faces on the 65th rather than the 70/75th minute and Gerrard and Bellamy made the desired impact, even thought Stevie G stills seems a tad rusty and is really not looking to put in his famous tackles or foraying into those legendary runs of his. He’ll get there; I’m sure, for now his presence is more than enough.
Now for a quick assessment of our performers: Reina: always alert. Carra & Skrtel: solid. Enrique & Kelly: tireless. Lucas: superlative. Adam: can do better. Downing: must do better. Kuyt: is Kuyt. Carroll: trying. Suarez: Messiah. Bellamy: livewire. Gerrard: energy drink boost. Kenny: you got it spot on Maestro!
The Blue half of Liverpool is bitter this evening for more than one reason, but the fact remains that between the two Merseyside giants, the Reds remain the Best!