Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Beating Liverpool

By Matt   Byrne  ::  10/04/2012   132 Comments (»Last) As we prepare to do battle in arguably our most important game in a generation, those two words ?Beating Liverpool? stand at the centre of all our hopes and dreams. What factors should come into our thinking as we approach this week?s semi-final against our rivals?

Firstly, Moyesie needs to pick the right team and approach the match with the correct positive tactics which swept us through the replay against Sunderland. The team is likely to be the same that were so very impressive at the Stadium of Light.

Given his goal and impressive second-half showing in Monday?s league encounter, Gueye could well now start on the left. Coleman or Drenthe could equally offer width and pace. The latter in particular could prove to be an explosive addition to the team. On one hand, think of the berating Neville rightly gave him for not tracking back in the initial Sunderland cup tie; on the other, ask yourself who Liverpool would least prefer to face?

A player who is extremely quick and direct with dangerous shooting potential and an impressive category of assists, could be the wildcard choice which makes the vital difference. Think of Anders Limpar?s impact in '95. A player whose work-rate and unpredictability didn?t sit comfortably with Joe Royle, he was arguably the key reason we triumphed at Wembley that year.

In all likelihood, Moyes will turn to Drenthe if we are behind with 20 minutes to go when a throw of the dice is a necessity rather than a choice.

We must be brave and bold, direct and confident in our tactics. A fast, aggressive and positive approach, replicating everything that was so terrific in the Sunderland replay, is what is required. It is vital that we don?t start on the back foot and allow Liverpool?s self-belief to build. We all know that they raise their play for big games and significant occasions, so we must be ready to match that ? and more. If we beat Liverpool, the sense of elation would be tremendous and I would be extremely hopeful of our chances in the final ? irrespective of the London opponents ? on the back of such an enormous crest of a wave.

We must not allow the local press to build pressure by foolishly labelling us favourites due to their poor form; however, we should calmly acknowledge that we are playing well, Liverpool are not... and that we have every reason to back ourselves. Equally, Moyes needs to rid himself of his demons in terms of always raising Liverpool to a higher echelon; he needs to have total belief that the game is there to be won.

Liverpool have two players in Gerrard and Suarez who we need to deal with ? the rest should not overly concern us. It is an acid test opportunity for Moyes to join the elite of Everton?s managerial history ? Kendall, Catterick and Royle ? in terms of moving us closer to that elusive trophy we all crave. He must be bold, attacking, and remember who we are ? in the words of Martin Tyler after Bayern, ?Everton simply rolled their sleeves up and refused to be beaten.? We must adopt that mindset.

As fans, we have a duty to echo this confidence and positive philosophy. I?m of a certain age to still carry the scars of the 80s Merseyside cup encounters. That must all be put to one side; there is a game, here and now, ready to be won.

Think with positivity at every angle. Think only of good Everton moments against them ? Andy King?s drive past Clemence; Imre Varadi getting a pie in the face ? but knocking Bob Paisley?s side out of the cup (the first time I remember us beating them). As you drive to Wembley, think of John Motson?s, ?He got behind Lawrenson there did Sharp!?, and the lad with the specs and the big coat wheeling across the screen arms aloft! Think of Peter Reid piling in on McMahon, of Duncan Ferguson and Alan Ball being thorns in their side and Andrei Kanchelskis, Super Kev and Gary Speed (RIP) following on from Sheeds and his two fingered salute ? each of them smacking it in at the Kop end!

For the younger Blues, imagine Cahill punching the Wembley corner flag in the 89th minute for the winner or close your eyes and remember the feeling you had when Dan Gosling?s shot went inside the post rather than bounce out ? with the last kick. Has that whetted your appetite? Of course we can win. COYB!

We can all reel off lists of refereeing catastrophes that have cost us against them down the years, from Bryan Hamilton 35 years ago to Jack Rodwell?s ludicrous red this season. There is a danger that we can see ourselves as victims, with a disaster about to await us. Therefore, we must not allow history?s injustices to colour our thinking; we must hope that the referee does his job creditably and think solely of lucky incidents or generous referring decisions in key games.

Think of Andy Gray getting the benefit of the doubt in '84 as he beat Sherwood to the ball; of how University College Dublin nearly knocked us out on the away goals at Goodison in the Cup Winners Cup (was it Joe Hanrahan who hit a late post which would have wiped out Bayern and Rotterdam); think too of how Bristol City battered us in 95 or how the Gods favoured us against the Mancs that year as the likes of Andy Cole, Cantona, Kanchelskis (and in the second half, Giggs) were unable to play in the final.

On Saturday, we need to see a powerful and confident performance, with some key decisions going in our favour. The law of averages strongly fancies us to do them in a big game ? and why not now, at such a pivotal moment. How glorious the victory would taste ? how vital it would be...

It is simply a game we must win.

Reader Comments (132)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

About these ads