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Everton v Liverpool - it's not all merry across the Mersey
The battle for fourth spot in the Premier League is the big talking point - and the bitter Merseyside rivals will fight to the finish to get it.
by Jon Knights on 21 March 2008
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As the season draws to a close, we have key battles across the Premier League board. Those of survival, those of pride, and those of silverware.However, the one that is capturing the imagination of the North-West is that of the battle for fourth spot, and a place in next season's prestigious Champions League. The combatants? Merseyside's bitter rivals, Liverpool and Everton.In the Blue corner, EVERTON:Nobody can doubt how strong Everton have been this season, although this is a fact that might not be apparent to the untrained eye. Without a win against any of the top four to their name, it would be easy to dismiss Everton and claim that when it has really mattered, they have not delivered.They have, however, managed to take precious points away from venues such as Stamford Bridge where so many have fallen before them. The form that has seen them record 56 points from 30 games hasn't come from brilliant one-off smash and grab wins at Old Trafford. It has come from their consistency when it comes to what really makes a European-placement finishing team, and that is consistency against mid-to-bottom table teams.In the Red corner, LIVERPOOL:Tried and tested pedigree when it comes to finishing in a high placing in the Premier League. Rafa Benitez's men know what is required of them if they are to see off the challengers and emerge victorious. While recent form has led some to get carried away, the Reds will be focusing first and foremost on securing that fourth spot, and that is no easy task.While recently they have been nothing short of sensational, only a three-point gap separates them from success and failure - with a game against said opponents keeping that bridge decidedly unstable.So who will emerge victorious from this heavyweight bout? Well, history leans towards Liverpool, with the Red side of the Mersey consistently qualifying for Europe's top competition, as well as gracing the latter stages with their presence more often than not.However, Everton have their own claim to history, finishing in the magic fourth spot only two seasons ago, and although it turned out to be a moot point after Liverpool's triumph in Istanbul, that scar will still run deep for even the most hardened Liverpool fan. History leads us to a dead end.Looking at the last time the two clubs faced each other answers little also, with the final scoreline of 2-1 to Liverpool being the topic of much debate across the North-West. With several controversial refereeing decisions littering a close encounter, the only thing we can really take from the game is that when push came to shove it was Liverpool who Lady Luck smiled upon, the importance of which can't be denied.
So it all comes down to this. Anfield, 4pm, Sunday, March 30. These two Titans take to the pitch to discover who truly has a claim for fourth spot. Victory for the Blue side of the Mersey, and it's all up in the air once more. Victory for the Reds of Liverpool, and it seems like the battle is all but over.
Comments (12)
on March 21, 2008 on March 21, 2008
Since when is finishing fourth "the big talking point" its all about silverware mate!
by john kensington on March 21, 2008
"see off the challengers and emerge victorious"... for a team of liverpools caliber they should be achieving more than a dog fight for fourth...there not emerging victorious, there settling for another humble league position... its well and good pointing out your great europe performances, but that doesn't cut it when you are getting beat out of all the domestic competitions, and having to fight a club, who isn't half as rich as you and with a smaller size... everton on the other hand are showing allot more character, with there consistancy and a manager every club would want, with such a small amount of money to there name, but managing some great players out of that budget... although they have been beat in all competitions they are still exceeding all expectations from there own fans and from others such as myself... everton are the underdogs but i think most premiership teams and their fans would like to see them pip Liverpool to the 4th spot... everyone knows they deserve it, maybe let them have some luck on Merseyside for a change...
by Jon Knights on March 21, 2008
For the record, the first and last lines of articles, in bold text, are not writen by the author. Also, talk of 'deserving it more'...surely the team that finish in that place are the team that deserve it, and surely if Liverpool beat Everton at Anfield, making it two wins out of two, they deserve the place? Don't be fooled into thinking Everton are cash-strapped just because of their transfer market dealings, or lack of. They're about to finalize plans on a massive new table, hardly lending a hand to the claim they are skint.
massive nre table? Eh? I meant massive new stadium. But tables can be mighty expensive too. I bought one the other week, 200 notes!
by mark l on March 21, 2008
what kind of table was it? was it round?
It wasn't the league table, 122million pounds cannot buy that, Liverpool have tried.
by Jobo on March 22, 2008
I love it when people claim that Everton haven't spent money under Moyes - when in fact, he is approaching £100 million - yes its true. Plus, since when have Everton become a Titan? We may as well call Tranmere Rovers a Titan - afterall they have achieved as much as Moyes since he has been at EFC.... Nothing Liverpool may have spent more - but the point is - we have won silverware over the last 6-7 years. 2 League cups, 2 FA Cups, 2 super Cups, UEFA cup and a European Cup as well as a few other finals - not bad considering it has cost us about 40 million. Yes, thats right - Liverpool have recouped about 70 million from transfers. Not bad eh. I have a question - Is Moyes the first man in football history to be called a Messiah for doing absolutely nothing??? hahahahahaha.
by Jon Knights on March 22, 2008
I'm a Liverpool fan but I can respect the fact that Everton are one the the oldest and biggest traditions in the english game. Aren't the the only team other than Arsenal to never have been relegated?
on March 22, 2008 on March 22, 2008
Everton have been relegated twice, the last time 1951 and they came back up in 1954.
by Kenny Harper on March 23, 2008
Jobo, Im not sure were you got your figures from but they are wrong, Everton has a net spend in the last 5 years of 18m pound, Liverpool have a netw spend in the last 5 years of 85m. FACT; http://purelymancity.blogspot.com/2008/02/city-are-sec ond-biggest-transfer.html .... Cut and paste the link, and jobo all the money spent and the cups won and yet you'll be claiming 4th as a triumph come may, is that progression...As for who will finish fourth, Im afraid our ( Evertons) injuries are starting to pay, we have been ravaged with injuries in the last 3 or 4 games and this has coincided with some poor results, everyone has injuries but we have lost all our best players and we are left with a patchwork squad going into a tough run of games, if we finish 4th after all that we really will deserve it.
by jack kenny on March 23, 2008
Everton have never been relegated I know this because I have read loads of books about everton. so next time u got denying someone ill deny u.
on March 23, 2008 on March 23, 2008
Well your wrong 1951 and 1930 good supporter you are Jack. Read history books not fairytales.
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