The Anfield Opinion

Roy Hodgson made a winning return to Anfield as his West Bromwich Albion side staged a daylight robbery to take all three points at Anfield.

But for Liverpool, it was yet another one of those days at home as they dominated the game from start to finish, hit the woodwork twice and squandered several good chances, only to be hit by a late Peter Odemwingie sucker-punch.

In keeping with most semi-final days that I can remember, the weather was kind to us with the sun beating down on North London. As we headed down the M1, the sheer amount of Blues outnumbering the Reds was a worry, but once in and around Wembley, we soon saw that there were as many travelling Kopites as there were Evertonians. (The Blues will no doubt say this was because most of our supporters flew in from Oslo!).

A couple of pre-match pints and sing-songs in the jam-packed Wembley Tavern were followed by a walk down Wembley Way, before we made our way into the ground. As is probably the case in 99.9% of the seats in the impressive stadium, our view from block 511 was top notch, perfectly placed behind the goal, the one where the goals were later scored.

Leading up to kick-off, it was hard not to shed a tear as both sets of supporters united to impeccably observe the minute’s silence for the 96 Hillsborough victims and, of course, the late Gary Ablett, a cup winner with both clubs.

As for the game itself, Kenny’s starting line-up was a bit of a surprise. We had all wanted Agger to start, but it was a bit of a shock to see Enrique make way for him. It was good though to see Dalglish reward Carroll for his winner at Blackburn Rovers by naming him in attack.

Going into the game, Everton’s recent fine form saw many people view them as pre-match favourites, and I think, apart from the opening 10-15 minutes, it had an impact on the first half. The Everton midfield of Osman, Fellaini and Gibson all exerted an air of confidence about their play, albeit without putting us under a great deal of pressure, whilst we were poor. We dropped off to leave too big of a gap between our defence, midfield and attack, whilst the likes of Downing, Henderson and Spearing all struggled to make any sort of impact on the game.

Everton’s reward came on 24 minutes, when the horrendous defensive mix-up between Carragher and Agger, saw Jelavic presented with a gift, which the impressive striker finished clinically.

But, whatever Kenny said to the lads at half-time, it worked, as we came out with all guns blazing. Our defensive line pushed higher up the pitch, forcing Cahill back, which in-turn left Jelavic isolated. We also improved our attacking play as Downing, who had switched flanks in the closing minutes of the first-half, finally showed some belief and got at Baines, whilst Spearing and Gerrard wrestled control of the midfield. Carroll, who put in an impressive all-round display, could, and probably should, have had a hat-trick, whilst Suarez’ desire, movement and trickery caused the Toffees’ defence, and Heitinga in particular, no end of problems.

As many Blues have pointed out since Saturday, it took a mistake for us to get back on level terms, but the fact of the matter was Distin’s poor backpass happened as a result of our change of philosophy. By forcing the play, we were able to apply more pressure on the Everton defence and thus panicked Distin into his error. Numerous times in the first half, Distin and Heitinga were able to pick the ball up from the same position, turn and advance to the halfway line before any of our players got near them.

After the equaliser there was only going to be one winner, though extra-time did look a distinct possibility. Kenny has received alot of criticism over the past few months for some of his tactics and selection, but I think he deserves a bit of credit for getting his subs spot-on on Saturday. First he recognised that Henderson was getting lots of possession down the left but not really doing anything with it, so brought on Maxi, a player who offers more guile and goal threat. He then introduced the pace, directness and hunger of Bellamy to stretch a weary Everton defence, whilst also keeping faith with Carroll.

The plan worked when Carroll rose to meet Bellamy’s perfectly weighted cross with three minutes to go. Maxi should have put a more realistic look to the scoreline when he hit the post but it mattered not as Everton offered little attacking threat in stoppage time, just as they had done for the previous 90 minutes.

Gleefully we walked down Wembley Way, though having to wait under the bridge at the bottom as police only let a few fans through to Wembley Tube station at a time, wasn’t much fun. With Liverpudlians celebrating, one Evertonian took umbrage and retaliated with repeated shouts of “Redsh*te” and “Murderers”. Luckily, despite no segregation, there wasn’t any trouble. However, I worry that won’t be the case when we are in the same ridiculous situation with Chelsea fans in early May.

A win always makes the trip home more bearable and this was the case again, despite my dodgy directions sending us on a tour of the outskirts of London before we saw the M1 again. A stop off at one of the services saw both Reds and Blues mixing amicably, something which perfectly summed up the day.

However, the day was slightly soured by a very small minority of our fans, and I repeat a SMALL MINORITY. Here comes the rant...

When entering the ground, we noticed something going on with a few police officers. It turned out some Reds were trying to get in without tickets. Their mates would scan in the ticket, and then when it was accepted, two or three lads would try and jump the turnstile. Correctly, the Police stopped them going in and arrested them. We thought nothing more of it until the match kicked off. It was then that we realised that part of the front row of our block was overcrowded. With everyone standing up, it was hard to see, but there were about 15 people in the vicinity of 5 seats. When the steward came over to sort it out, he had no control of the situation and eventually let it go.

Now, don’t get me wrong, on the grand scheme of things, those extra 10 or so people weren’t causing any great problems, as modern-day stadiums are a relatively safe environment. But, the thing that annoyed me was the principal of the matter. Twenty-three years earlier I was at Hillsborough for the FA Cup semi-final where 96 Reds never returned home due to overcrowding in the middle pen of the Leppings Lane terrace. In an emotional scene on Saturday, everyone inside Wembley perfectly observed the minute’s silence in memory of the 96 poor souls, and the vast majority of us held aloft the S*N protests, whilst chanting for the Justice that the victims’ families are still searching for.

Joining in with the tribute and the chants were these scallies on the front row who, no older than 17, had obviously got in to Wembley without a ticket. Talk about hypocritical! They wanted to see the game, b*llocks to the consequences. The same thing happened in Athens in 2007. Reds fans got in without tickets, meaning there was no room for the people who had valid ones, like me and my brother. We, as Liverpool fans, should know more than anyone the consequences of overcrowding. Yes, we all want to see the game, but to do so you must buy a ticket. If you haven’t got one, stay away. *RANT OVER*

Apart from that though, it was a cracking day and I look forward to doing it all again in three weeks time.

“We’re On the March with Kenny’s Army....!”

Today, as you will know, marked the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster of 1989. It is often said that the grievances that remain from that day are ones that should easily transcend trivial football club rivalries. And so they should. But it occurs to me more and more that this isn't actually correct enough. 



It shouldn't just transcend mere football rivalries - it should surpass sport altogether. Hillsborough isn't really a matter of sport - or certainly not exclusive to it - at all. It just so happens that the events occurred at a sporting event. That surely is the only connection. (Or at least it should be - the victims, as well the surviving Liverpool fans, were smeared against largely because they were football fans. Certainly Margaret Thatcher took a particular dislike towards people who followed the game.)

It was and remains fortunate for the authorities that the disaster did take place at a sporting event. Had something similar somehow happened at a supermarket or, perhaps a better example, the Royal Ascot, then it is doubtful that those fighting for justice would be as maligned a force as they have been (though it should be said they are swelling in number all the time).

This is why, you see, I get quite frustrated when people say any football fan wrong to neglect (and in many cases actually taunt) those that 1989 affected - again not because they are wrong but rather that they do not go nearly far enough.

Hillsborough was an injustice against people - ordinary people - who died because of the shocking mismanagement of those supposedly responsible for their well-being. It was a crime against people and thus people - not just Liverpool fans or football fans or fans of sport - should be the ones who call for the official recognition and apology - and whatever suitable compensation that naturally follows from that - from the guilty parties and those in government today.

We can be grateful that this is now starting to happen to a limited extent, but still the language needs to change from 'all football fans' to 'all people'. The coverage needs to remain on the front pages not the back ones. I say this not only because it would do untold help for the cause but because to carry on otherwise hugely misrepresents - and thus underestimates - the scale of the wrongdoing on that fateful day in April.

Intense rivalries were cast aside, as clubs from all corners of the world offered their sympathy and support to Liverpool Football Club and paid their respects to the 96 poor souls who had lost their lives on the Leppings Lane terrace. As our neighbours, Everton Football Club were at the forefront of this.

Coming from the same city, most Evertonians were either related to or knew many of the Reds whom never made it home from that fateful football match. The excitement of winning their own FA Cup semi-final against Norwich City quickly paled into insignificance as the tragic news from Sheffield filtered through. Rather than basking in the glory of reaching Wembley, they instead shared our grief. In the days that followed, they acted like a big brother and offered many a shoulder for us to cry on. When I visited Anfield with my family to lay flowers on the Anfield pitch, I was touched by the fact that there was as much blue, as there was red in the thousands of scarves and flowers on show.

On May 3rd 1989, when it was deemed as time for Liverpool to return to competitive action, there wasn’t a more fitting place for us to get back playing, apart from Anfield, than at Goodison Park. Already known as the ‘Friendly’ derby, the term took on a new meaning as flags were paraded around the pitch displaying messages of “Thanks” from Liverpudlians to their Evertonian counterparts.

Accompanied by my Dad, I was perched upon a barrier in the Lower Bullens stand. Sitting next to me was an Evertonian, about 11 years old, the same age as I was. Both he and his dad asked if we were OK following the tragic events we had witnessed 18 days previous, then both offered their support and sympathy. As the two sets of teams walked solemnly onto the pitch and observed an emotional minute’s silence, the lad and I swapped scarves and proudly held aloft the colours of our ‘rivals’.

Only two and a half weeks later, the sides met again at Wembley in the FA cup final. Over 82,000 fans used the occasion to display to the world a city united in mourning. Chants of “Merseyside” continuously echoed around the famous old stadium, whilst Gerry Marsden’s rendition of "You’ll Never Walk Alone" left grown men in tears. Though there was obviously disappointment with the fact that their team lost a thrilling match, but even Everton fans must have thought it fitting that the Reds lifted the cup. In truth though, the true winners that day were not just the team in Red, but the whole city of Liverpool.

That though proved to be the pinnacle in the relationship between Liverpool and Everton. In the 23 years since, relationships between the two clubs have strained. The friendly rivalry, which was once built on mutual respect for the other, has sadly disappeared, instead replaced by a disturbing undercurrent of hate.

Many parts of the media still portray the ‘Friendly’ aspect, with TV cameras always able to find the obligatory derby picture of a Red sitting in the Gwladys Street or a Blue on the Kop. But, the reality is that it is happening less and less nowadays. Granted, this is partly due to the changes football has seen since Hillsborough; with all-seater stadia, segregation, season tickets and no paying on the gate all making it harder for opposing fans to mix. But a simpler, and more worrying reason, is that the two sets of fans no longer get on. The togetherness and chants of “Merseyside” which could be heard at Wembley in ’89 have gone, replaced with exchanges of vitriol between the opposing sets of supporters.

The Reds label the Blues as ‘Bitters’, due to the fact that the Toffees are quick to blame 'the Redsh*te', as they call us, for anything and everything, mainly the fact that they were unable to participate in the European Cup in the mid-1980’s, a competition they would probably have won, due to the European ban inflicted on English teams following the events at Heysel in 1985. The self-proclaimed ‘People’s club’ view us as smug, jealous, living-in-the-past and claim most of our fans are glory-hunting daytrippers from Norway.

The fact that both clubs operate at different ends of the financial spectrum only adds to the rivalry. Whilst Liverpool have, even during the debt-ridden Hicks and Gillet era, splashed record amounts of cash on a number of players, Everton have had to work with a tight budget. Trophy-wise, Liverpool have won everything but the Premier League in the last 10 years, whilst the Blues from across Stanley Park haven’t got their hands on silverware since their FA Cup win of 1995.

On the pitch, the fixture has seen more dismissals than any other in the Premier League era, whilst former Reds’ boss Rafael Benitez did little to help relations between the clubs when he labelled Everton as a ‘small club’. Throw in the fact that Everton have a number of ex-Manchester United players and sold their “lifelong blue” star striker to the Liverpool’s arch-rivals from down the East Lancs Road, and the recipe for dislike is complete.

Such is the current hostility between Liverpool and Everton, Saturday’s FA Cup Semi-final will kick-off at the ridiculously early 12:30pm, in a bid to reduce the amount of time in which alcohol can be consumed and ultimately reduce the likelihood of any potential trouble.

But, it shouldn’t be like this.

With the Aintree Grand National taking place on the same day as the Wembley showdown, the eyes of the sporting world will be on the city of Liverpool. In a story more akin to "If Carlsberg did Scouse sporting weekends..", the weekend also marks the 23rd anniversary of that tragic day at Hillsborough, with Anfield holding it’s annual memorial service on Sunday afternoon.

So for one day, it would be nice if both Liverpudlians and Evertonians cast aside their current hatred for one another. It may be too much to ask for us all to unite and break out into chants of “Merseyside, Merseyside”, but a derby day minus the hostility and all the sickening abuse from both sides would be a step in the right direction.

Just like when I swapped scarves with that young Evertonian back in 1989, I can’t think of a better way to pay our respects to the ninety-six.

JUSTICE FOR THE 96!

Luis Suarez headed in an 82nd minute equaliser as Aston Villa became the latest side to leave Anfield with at least a point.

After a run of three successive defeats, Suarez' late header at least stopped the current Reds' rot, but another draw means Kenny Dalglish's men have now failed to win at Anfield in 11 of their 16 league games at home this season.

With goalkeeper Pepe Reina beginning his three-match suspension for his sending-off at Newcastle last weekend, Dalglish gave a belated debut to summer signing Alexander Doni. The Scot also made a tactical change as the Reds reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, with Jordan Henderson and Jonjo Shelvey patrolling the centre of midfield, Steven Gerrard on the right and Dirk Kuyt partnering Luis Suarez in attack. With club captain Stilian Petrov battling against acute Leukaemia, Villa boss Alex McLeish named a youthful and inexperienced starting eleven.

After a perfectly observed minutes silence to mark next weekend's 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, Liverpool started the game like a team determined to put right the wrongs that were evident in their display on Tyneside six days earlier. Only six minutes had been played when former Villa winger Stewart Downing showed Alan Hutton a clean pair of heels before delivering a teasing ball across goal. At the far post, Kuyt's low shot saw Villa keeper Shay Given just about keep the ball out before diverting it onto his near post and eventually away for a corner.

The visitors though didn't panic and instead took the lead with their first real attack of the game. Former Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock delivered a deep cross which Doni could only parry into the path of Barry Bannan, who in turn laid the ball off for Chris Herd to brilliantly curl an 18-yard shot into the far top corner.

With the Anfield faithful fearing another frustrating day, the hosts struggled to exert any real pressure on their opponents' goal. They did however have two genuine appeals for penalties turned down by referee Michael Oliver, when first Herd appeared to handle a Suarez cross, then the Uruguayan striker was felled by Alan Hutton when through on goal.

As the half drew to a close, Liverpool eventually upped their game. Reds' skipper Gerrard fired over when well placed in the box, before good work from Suarez and Gerrard resulted in one of the misses of the season as Kuyt fired over from less than six yards out with the goal gaping.

Seven minutes after the break the Reds went even closer to an equaliser. A superb Gerrard delivery from the right found Suarez, whose flicked header hit the inside of the far post, before Given scrambled it away.

A third penalty shout was turned down when Eric Lichaj looked to have handled at the back post when under pressure from Kuyt, before Dalglish threw on Craig Bellamy and Andy Carroll as the Reds need for a breakthrough increased. The change nearly worked when Bellamy fired against the outside of the Villa post, though the Welshman will feel he should have done better.

With fifteen minutes remaining, there was finally some good news for the home fans as Daniel Agger returned to first team duty when he replaced Jose Enrique. Since cracking a rib in the Carling Cup final, the influential defender's absence has seen the Reds leaking goals at an alarming rate. As well as his defensive ability, the Dane is also a threat at set-pieces, and only six minutes after entering the fray, he played a major role as the Reds finally breached the Villa goal.

A Bellamy corner was only half-cleared to Gerrard, who delivered another exquisite cross, from which Agger headed onto the bar, the 35th time Liverpool have hit the woodwork this season. But, unlike on the other 34 occasions, this time the ball fell invitingly for Suarez, who nodded in from less than a yard. 

Now sensing victory, Liverpool peppered Given's goal. Carroll should have done better when he headed straight at the Villa stopper, before the Irish keeper did well to keep out a swerving Gerrard effort.

In a rare forage forward, Villa had their own penalty shout turned down when sub Samir Carruthers was clipped by Agger, before Kuyt failed to convert from inside the six yard box for the second time.

The final whistle was met with cheers from the away support as McLeish's men earned a valuable point to move six points clear of the relegation zone. For the home support it was another case of frustration and what might have been.

But, after a run of six defeats in seven games, Suarez' late header at least stopped the rot. Dalglish will now hope his side can build upon the point as they travel to Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, before Saturday's season defining FA Cup semi-final against Merseyside rivals Everton.