LIVERPOOL’S very own Captain Fantastic ends the club’s poor run of form on his 400th league appearance in the best possible way – scoring a hat-trick against derby rivals Everton at Anfield.
All the talk in the city this week was of the contrasting form of both clubs, with many believing there was no better time for Everton to beat their neighbours away from home for the first time since 1999.
David Moyes, who will celebrate his 10-year anniversary of being in charge of the Blues just hours after the game, has never won at Anfield during his reign.
And he still hasn’t.
Perhaps with one eye on the weekend’s quarter-final, Moyes, much to the dismay of Blue following, chose to make 6 changes to the side that beat Spurs in their previous fixture. Liverpool, making their own changes after a dismal showing at Sunderland, simply flew out the traps; setting a high-speed tempo that their rivals just couldn’t match.
There was a sign of things to come as early as the 7th minute when Gerrard linked well with Suarez, and forced opposing ‘keeper Tim Howard into a good save. Liverpool’s desire to right recent wrongs would not go unrewarded and in the 34th minute, Gerrard’s class was evident for all to see – delicately chipping home with his left-foot after Martin Kelly’s endeavour had forced panic in the Everton penalty box.
For the rest of the half Liverpool, with the elusive Suarez in particular and the forward running of Martin Kelly, continued to look dangerous with Everton rarely threatening. Surprisingly, this derby known for its blood and thunder, ended with just three fouls having occurred in the first period.
HT: LIVERPOOL 1 v 0 Everton
There was plenty of cause for trepidation amongst the home support as the second-half began; the Anfield crowd has gotten used to their team dominating matches with having the goals to show for. Fears were eased in the 51st minute.
Suarez again, slipped the Blues defence, nut-megging Distin on the by-line before allowing Gerrard to smash home his, and Liverpool’s second.
With confidence up and the thirst for more goals still prevalent the Reds continued to push forward right until the end, and when Gerrard broke forward once more and slipped the ball to Suarez, many thought the Uruguayan would get a well-deserved goal. Suarez had different ideas though. Unselfishly he cut-back and laid the ball across for his skipper to complete his hat-trick – the first in a Merseyside derby for over 30 years.
FT: LIVERPOOL 3 v 0 Everton
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Ten yrs as mngr, won nothing and yet for British press somehow hes the best thing since sliced bread. He keeps being praised at every opurtunity by the pundits. Praise after praise for the boy. Gongrats to SG on the hat trick. Gongrats to the whole team for putting the bluenoses in their place. YNWA
The formation that KD used was fantastic!
What a response from the Redmen & Stevie. Always good to put the Blues back in their place and this will breed confidence going into the weekend