THE build up to any derby game is normally full of clichés and platitudes from both sides, with current players, managers and ex-players alike talking up certain players, past derbies and how the form book always goes out of the window.
This weekend’s game is likely to be no different. Indeed, it’s already started, with David Moyes making comments. Likewise, Jagielka was earlier in the week talking about how the derby should be a primary target for his team-mates, as a testament to all Moyes has achieved at Everton.
A farewell present, if you will.
Even Steven Gerrard was at it on Wednesday, talking about how Liverpool’s players should be aiming to make the derby game a special day for the soon to be departing Jamie Carragher. And, while I agree, I think the 3 points themselves should be more than enough of a target. The minute you have to start giving your players special reasons to win derby games is time you should start to worry!
While I totally understand that Gerrard was only paying tribute to his long-serving team-mate, I got the feeling his sentiment was coming from a place where he believed our season was over so we should be winning this game for Carragher. However, I disagree.
5th is the highest that the Reds can finish this season, mathematically. However unlikely it should still be the target. Provided we win all of our games, we’ll have done all that we can to achieve that.
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A win over Everton would put us 2 points behind, and with two relatively ‘easy’ (I know, I’ve made that mistake before) games remaining following the derby at Anfield, the pressure would be all on Everton.
For me, Liverpool have set their sights far too low in recent seasons, both as a team and as a club and that is exactly why we’ve ended up where we are now – second best to Everton. That is not a place that we should ever be again and the fact that we are is unacceptable.
Gone are the days when a derby game was almost a certainty for us (as they were regularly over the past decade) but there’s no reason why that can’t become the case again and I feel that above all else, the game on Sunday should be a statement of intent to firstly take our place back as the highest-placed Premier League side on Merseyside, then we can kick on from there.
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We have set our sights too low this season and judging by Rodgers talk..he is still setting his sights too low
He said last week
” I hope at the end of the 3 years we are challenging for those top 4 places …if not actually making them ”
So after his 3 year contract he hopes we are challenging top 4 !
Disgraceful attitude from a Liverpool manager
Yes . Everything about Rodgers is a disappointment. He will be remembered alongside Hodgson as our worst manager ever
thats a little harsh dave ? Rodgers is awful but not as bad as Roy
Hodgson had a better 6 months than Rodgers had inhospitable 1st 6 months
They r both rubbish !
In his first 6 months ..I meant
Can’t stand the under achieving idiot. Very sad my lfc is under this mans management, he doesn’t stir one emotion in me on match day, the bum!
Lets batter them
The most meaningless Derby game ever . I’m not even bothered – I’m letting my brother use my ticket