VIEW FROM THE STANDS: Quiet confidence tonight’s the night

Jan 19 2009 Liverpool Daily Post

Quiet confidence tonight’s the night

“IT’S time tonight for the Liverpool Red Sox to take on the Everton Blue Noses in the first of two superslam showdown humdinger of events at Anfield Stadium… ladies and gentlemen, let’s get ready to rumble.”

Given all the debate about how much influence the Yanks have on matters at Anfield these days, I’m assuming that’s the pre-match Tannoy announcement tonight?

With our three main strikers injured and our greatest scoring threat suspended, we couldn’t be in much worse state personnel-wise coming into the derbies.

But bizarrely, with the return to form of many of our key individuals around the pitch, there is a quiet confidence among Evertonians.

While any derby brings expectation from fans on both sides, the pressure really is on Liverpool going into these games.

With our form this season, the game suits us being away from home and being able to play to our strengths in terms of organisation and playing on the counter, and of course a delicious Arteta set-piece.

The Rafatollah’s outburst against Man United has created a media frenzy, but the irony of it all hasn’t been lost on Blues.