January 25, 2009
Liverpool 1-1 Everton
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Dossena, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel (Riera 75), Gerrard, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Aurelio, Benayoun, Leiva Lucas, Ngog
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Anichebe (Gosling 71), Castillo (Rodwell 76), Neville, Osman, Pienaar, Cahill.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Yobo, Van der Meyde, Jacobsen, Jutkiewicz
To find the last time we met the shite in the FA Cup you have to travel back nearly nine years ago, to the winter of 2009. A fourth round draw saw the blues traveling to Anfield to face the Red Shite in another installation of the Merseyside Derby. With a battle of Rafa benitez for Liverpool and David Moyes for Everton the game was packed with compelling storylines. Mikel Arteta missed the game for Everton due to a training injury, and major signing Robbie Keane, who was presumed to be a vital part of the team when signed, did not even seem to be on the bench. With Tim Cahill leading the front lines for Everton, the game was underway.
Everton struck first on a corner in the 27th minute, as Cahill heads toward goal, and Lescott flicks it in, and it was 1-0 Everton with the away blues roaring at Anfield. Liverpool however continued to set the pace, flying up and down the field, but the game went into half with no other goals. However nine minutes into the second half Steven Gerrard fires a shot straight at Tim Howard that pitifully and unfortunately falls through his arms, making it 1-1. Howard however made a remarkable save just minutes later from 12 yards out as Steven Gerrard smashed a shot on target. Everton would manage to hold the shite and the game ended all square, where a replay was scheduled at Goodison. A game in which the Toffees were victorious, beating Liverpool 1-0.
Friday afternoon’s game matches up similar squads to what we saw in the last derby, one that ended in a draw at Anfield. However, Liverpool have added new superstar defended Virgil Van Dijk on a transfer fee that would make the queen blush. Everton seem to be finalizing a deal with Bestikas striker Cenk Tosun, but seems unlikely at this time to feature barring a post Christmas Day miracle. This game will see a hungry Liverpool looking to prove a point after dominating Everton just a short while ago, and only coming away with a point. However, I cannot and will not in good faith pick Liverpool, especially not in a game where as Sam Allardyce has said, Everton have nothing to lose. Sometimes the best offense is a good defence, and maybe some prayers and a little bit of hope. A Wayne Rooney golazo is on the cards and a draw to take the replay fixture back to Goodison is all but a win for Everton.
Prediction: Everton-1 Liverpool-1
Up the Toffees, Beat the Shite!!!!!!!
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