So what if Liverpool didn't play well in the derby - we won didn't we?

By Richard Buxton in Liverpool Fans Blog

Published 16:31 30/11/09

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Last Thursday, millions of Americans celebrated Thanksgiving and remembered all the things they were fortunate to have in life. This morning Liverpool supporters are thankful that they recorded another win over Everton, despite a sub-par performance from their team.

Bragging rights on Merseyside went to the red half of the city as Rafael Benitez's side took maximum points despite failing to hit full steam, prompting seasoned Blues to foam at the mouth about being denied the opportunity to purchase another commemorative DVD about their only real cup final as well as including Alan Whiley's name to the long list of "If it hadn't been for Heysel and..." that itemises their downfall over the previous two-and-a-half decades.

Incidentally, their delightful supporters chose to perform unpleasant gestures in reference to the tragedy in Belgium 24 years previous which shows the level of class and dignity of Everton fans as a whole.

Interestingly, both managers went into the fixture under pressure from the media and their supporters with David Moyes, Benitez’s opposite number, voicing concerns about the lack of investment at Goodison and hinted that he may walk if things do not improve off the pitch.

No doubt this has won him some sympathy with the Goodison faithful, and probably the media also, but were Benitez to make similar noises he would be castigated by the red tops and the campaign calling for his head would intensify but that’s another debate for another day.

There's no denying that Everton were the better side but, as the Irish have found out, history does not remember the losers even if they should have won because ifs and buts don't win matches.

However if there was a save that deserves to win a derby match, Pepe Reina's double block from Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini was well deserved. The Spaniard must be one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world at this moment in time. He would rightly gain this recognition if his back four had not been so shaky of late.

Defensive lapses were not exempt from the game as Diniyar Bilyaletdinov proved with two golden opportunities to level the scoring. Thankfully the Russian brought ice skates rather than shooting boots to Goodison yesterday afternoon.

Some of our supporters have chosen to moan about the performance rather than reflect on the actual result. We won didn’t we? Silverware aside, two of the best moments every season are recording victories over Manchester United and Everton to boost morale and restore civic pride.

Hopefully this will herald a resurgence for life at Anfield but given the way this season has panned out, you wouldn’t hold your breath.

The annual festive trip to Ewood Park awaits us on Saturday as Christmas nears. Blackburn have not caused any real shock results but it is never too late for them to begin doing so, and promising Argentine youngster Franco Di Santo will hope to prove a point to his employers at Stamford Bridge that he is good enough at 20 years old to deliver by scoring against the Reds.

Also worth watching out for is the journeyman duo of David Jason Roberts and David Dunn, the club’s leading scorer this season.

Hopefully Fernando Torres will be able to lead our front line, fitness permitting, and fire us to another three points.

Richard Buxton

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