Liverpool vs. Everton

We had plans for a Rivalry essay set for this game on Sunday, but alas, they fell through this week like an England offside trap.

It will be back on course for next weekend's bloodbath with Liverpool and Arsenal, but in the meantime, I cobbled together a little something to set up the festivities.

> This is Duncan Ferguson.

I hate him, mainly because he was a tall, menacing striker [albeit injury-plagued] who haunted Liverpool [probably literally and figuratively, given his hooligan thug reputation] when he got the chance, which thankfully wasn't that often.

An Everton fan laments his absence, especially when the one problem the Toffees have found in recent weeks has been a complete lack of heart in front of goal.

> I've lost count of the number of phenomenal derbies I've seen over the years, so I tried to find a few YouTube clips that capture the magic.

First up, the one I was reminded of by the Guardian blog that happened in 2000/01.

This game had it all: red cards, missed penalties, comebacks, and a last-gasp free kick winner from the old boot of Gary McAllister.

My absolute favourite was the 1991 FA Cup 5th Round replay, where the two sides battled to a 4-4 draw. Everton came from behind 4 times. Four times. Liverpool's Peter Beardsley [who later played for Everton] and John Barnes both scored a pair each, and Everton had answers from Graeme Sharp [who scored twice], and super-sub Tony Cottee's brace.

I've been trying in vain to find video online -- if anyone can help, email me.

Another classic was the 1989 FA Cup Final [it seemed like the two sides met a lot in the FA Cup during the late-80s/early-90s], which LFC edged 3-2 not long after the Hillsborough disaster that year. It was a nervous, fractious, emotional time, but the grit and determination to bring home the Cup helped to ease the pain.

This video also reminds me how much of a fucking beast Ian Rush was, while also bringing to mind just how desperately we need a winger who can cross the ball into the heart of the box. Fuck -- we'd be so much better-off if we had that.

> It will be a touchy-feely encounter, as both sides are missing the fire from the belly of their midfield. Tim Cahill, the antipodean douchebag, is out with an aggravated metatarsal injury, and of course, Mascherano's missing because of his unmanageable mouth. [I'm hoping and praying he can successfully appeal the extra two-game ban for misconduct]

I, for one, cannot fucking wait.

> Oh, and LFC 2, Everton 0.