Two wins in a row has been a standard run of form for Liverpool in the past, with a win in Hungary and a win across Stanley Park against Everton TYPICALLY being the status quo. Not so much this season, as it turns out, and these two victories are as sweet as toffee… pun definitely intended. The win catapults us into the lofty heights of fifth in the Premiership, but importantly not all that far off of 4th place, with the gap between us and Spurs at a mere 3 points.
Goals from Javier Mascherano and Dirk Kuyt ultimately proved to be the difference, but the scoreline flattered us. Everton indeed were the aggressors in the match, creating the vast majority of chances and really giving us a good go at it. But with some impressive saves from Reina, and some lucky moments to boot (Bilya-what’s-his-face being the major culprit), we managed to squeek the 3 points from a spirited Everton side. This isn’t to say we didn’t have our own moments, because we most certainly did, but it is to say that a neutral would even say a draw or an Everton win would possibly have been the more appropriate result. With that in mind, the sign of a winning team is to pull out a victory in the most testing of circumstances, namely when you are not in control of the tempo against a city rival. It would have been more like us to capitulate in this environment given our current form, but one thing has to be mentioned… we have better depth now and some players who are fit that once were not.
Javier Mascherano’s goal was going well wide… but Lady Luck smiled upon him, and indeed on Liverpool. His celebration was FABULOUS, as well, possibly squashing rumors of his apathy towards the club.
The likes of Riera coming off of the bench are exactly what we have needed. He instantly made an impression on the match, playing much more effectively than Fabio Aurelio… and this precisely the point. While Riera was injured, who would have come on? Benayoun, bless him, is not a natural left midfielder despite being a natural talent (and possibly one of my favorite Reds), and Babel is even less so. It was immediately evident with Riera out there that we had better balance, were more threatening on the attack, and were more capable of pulling Everton’s defenders into uncomfortable positions with his trickery and bullish style. With Riera in attack, we instantly found a goal. Coincidence? I think not.
The goals in this match from Mascherano and Kuyt were not classics by any means, but they were of obvious importance. Mascherano’s was more than just a slice of luck, but indeed a slice of foot from Yobo. Monster Masch’s speculative 30 yard low drive was appearing to be going wide of the target, but the unfortunate Yobo’s boot deflected the ball past a wrong-footed Tim Howard and into the far corner. He is being credited with the goal, but don’t be surprised if the FA’s “Dubious Goal Panel” reverses that decision. Regardless, Mascherano celebrated the goal by kissing the badge and demonstrating passion that perhaps silences some of his critics both on and off the pitch. And in truth, it was not just the goal. He lived up to his name of Monster Masch, with a display reminiscent of his hugely successful 2007-2008 season.
Kuyt’s goal was a tap-in, but the manner of the goal is what will have Liverpool supporters gleeful. A cross that should have been well cleared by Everton was sliced (and missed) by Yobo, and Steven Gerrard beat Lucas Neill to the loose ball with a lovely slide pass to an unrushing Riera, whose low drive could only be parried by Tim Howard into the path of Dirk Kuyt. Kuyt made no mistake, and certainly couldn’t have missed even if he had tried, and once again that side of the ground proved to be a nice spot for Kuyt, who slid over to the “travelling” Liverpool supporters in celebration. At home, my sense of relief was such that I actually felt my tension coming out of my shoulders and jaw, even if my fingernails are still chewed raw!
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Next match is at Ewood Park to face a struggling Blackburn side on December 5th.
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