EFC FANS VIEW: Let’s provide more highlights than Fernando Torres

Mar 29 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

SO the game that could be pivotal in deciding who wins the league outside of the ‘big three’ is finally upon us.

If truth be told, the derby’s possibly coming a month too late for us in terms of form and fitness. Had we been playing this game a month ago, I’d probably be going into this one with supreme confidence.

However, there’s enough over-used cliches out there for us to know that it all depends on what happens on the day and everything before goes out the window.

Merseyside tourism will get its fortnightly boost this weekend with John Lennon Airport jam-packed with incoming Liverpool fans while the Mersey will be clogged up with Norwegian long-boats.

The main problem though is the global environmental damage from the mass of Liverpool souvenir shop plastic bags being dished out this weekend.

It says it all about the most recent derby history that fans are looking at who the ref is on Sunday nearly as much as the respective team sheets.

While there will probably be a march from the Sandon to Anfield in protest at the sheer audacity to send off a Liverpool player last weekend, all those of blue persuasion still in trauma from the Clattenburg derby will be hoping Howard Webb can show that most scarce and rare commodity of actually officiating the game fairly.

Having dropped five out of six points in such disappointing fashion in our last two games, the feeling going into the derby is that fourth place is slipping away from us.

A defeat tomorrow and it’s fair to say our chances have evaporated. Although a draw will be a good result for us to consolidate a UEFA Cup place, it does seem we need to win at the Liverpool Red Sox to maintain any aspirations of a not-so-Champions League spot.

So can we win it? Our physio is going to have a vital role this week in getting Pienaar and Johnson recovered and able to play, which will give us vital tools to get at Liverpool.

Hand on heart, I can see this being a pretty dour game with two teams who best play on the counter attack cancelling each other out.

The key will therefore be as to whether the Yak will be fed a Sunday roast to produce the goods and ensure celebratory Monday morning hangovers for Evertonians.

Let’s hope the only highlights for our Red brethren are those lovely blond ones in the distinctly dodgy barnet of their Spanish striker.