Author : Apoorrv Pandey
Email ID: [email protected]
Email ID: [email protected]
WHAT IS A DERBY?
Derby,this word itself sends chills down the spine of any Football fan.For those of you who do not know what derby means,in layman’s term it means Local.Now the word ‘Local’ won’t send chills down your spine Haha! Sorry (Bad Humour).Anyways we are here to talk about the Derby Football matches.In England the Derby games are most sought after in any given city.Whether it be London,Manchester,Wearside-Tyneside or any other place,Derby games are the ones who divide the fans from the same area or community into two halves.Often Football fans are unaware of the fact what derby games really mean.They think that any game between two Big Clubs is a Derby Game.FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are footballing rivals as they are the greatest Spanish clubs,the game between them is known as El Clasico and its not a derby as Real Madrid hails from Madrid and FC Barcelona hails from Barcelona itself,two different cities.Recently in League Cup football we saw a North London derby of Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal as both clubs hail from the same locality.
Derby,this word itself sends chills down the spine of any Football fan.For those of you who do not know what derby means,in layman’s term it means Local.Now the word ‘Local’ won’t send chills down your spine Haha! Sorry (Bad Humour).Anyways we are here to talk about the Derby Football matches.In England the Derby games are most sought after in any given city.Whether it be London,Manchester,Wearside-Tyneside or any other place,Derby games are the ones who divide the fans from the same area or community into two halves.Often Football fans are unaware of the fact what derby games really mean.They think that any game between two Big Clubs is a Derby Game.FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are footballing rivals as they are the greatest Spanish clubs,the game between them is known as El Clasico and its not a derby as Real Madrid hails from Madrid and FC Barcelona hails from Barcelona itself,two different cities.Recently in League Cup football we saw a North London derby of Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal as both clubs hail from the same locality.
Now enough explanation,let’s get to tonight’s hot topic about one of the most sought after game between two English Legendary clubs hailing from the same locality i.e. ‘Merseyside’.Liverpool FC and Everton FC both these Merseyside clubs are known for their iconic stadiums,their die hard fans,their trophies(Especially Liverpool),etc.It is the longest running derby game in the history of the English League.
Traditionally the Merseyside derby was referred to as the ‘Friendliest Derby’ as most of the families in Merseyside had both sets of fans.But since the inception of the English Premier league,Merseyside derby is the most intensifying game in England.It has also been labelled as “The Most ill-disciplined and explosive game in the Premier league”.This fact is well proven as the Merseyside derby has seen the most red cards than any other Premier league game.
Traditionally the Merseyside derby was referred to as the ‘Friendliest Derby’ as most of the families in Merseyside had both sets of fans.But since the inception of the English Premier league,Merseyside derby is the most intensifying game in England.It has also been labelled as “The Most ill-disciplined and explosive game in the Premier league”.This fact is well proven as the Merseyside derby has seen the most red cards than any other Premier league game.
HISTORY OF ANFIELD:
John Houlding found Everton FC in 1878.They started playing at Anfield in 1884.Due to some Internal conflicts,monetary issues and Political pressure several board members were on the verge of leaving Everton FC.Finally they left and went to the other side of the Stanley Park and purchased Goodison Park leaving Anfield vacant.John Houlding was quick to react as he founded Liverpool FC at Anfield in the same year 1892.Thus Liverpool FC got Anfield and Everton FC moved to Goodison Park.
FANS AND WORLD FAMOUS STADIUMS:
When it comes to fans Liverpool FC and Everton FC are known to have a huge following in England.Both sets of fans are known for their loyalty and pride.Liverpool FC fans are known throughout the world for the atmosphere they create inside the Anfield Stadium especially during European nights.The atmosphere at Liverpool FC’s home stadium is overwhelming when the fans sing their team’s main song “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.The fans at ‘Kop end’ are the fulcrum behind this atmosphere and magical experience. On the other hand Everton FC’s Goodison is the stadium wherein the fans create such an atmosphere that we can literally feel the stadium rocking and this sends chills down the spine.Everton Fans fondly call their stadium “The Grand Old Lady”.Its a moment of pride for the supporters to know that the Blue side of Merseyside has hosted more top flight games than any other stadium. | 95,000 LIVERPOOL FANS SINGING 'You'll Never Walk Alone' EVERTON FANS ROCKING THE WEMBLEY STADIUM |
HEROICS OF 2013-14 & DEMISE OF 2014-15
(2013-14)
It was the start of the 2013-14 season,nobody would have expected the two Merseyside giants to put up a challenge and push for the top.2013-14 season belonged to Merseyside with one club stunning everyone with their attacking brand of play and the other with their hard fighting spirit.Liverpool FC and especially their much famed attacing prowess of Suarez and Sturridge proved a handy for most of their Premier League rivals.Liverpool not only won a place in the top 4 but also almost won the league.But at the end they screwed up and came 2nd losing the league to Manchester City by 2 points.On the other hand,Everton FC also played an attacking brand of football and nearly booked their place in the Top 4 but the pressure got into them and they nearly lost their 4th place to Arsenal and came 5th.Both the clubs succumbed during the ending stages of the league,but it would be fair to say that nobody expected the two clubs to go that far.So despite their hiccups at the end,their season can be branded as a success.
Merseyside derby results(2013-14) :
1.EVERTON FC 3-3 LIVERPOOL FC(Played at Goodison park)
2.LIVERPOOL FC 4-0 EVERTON FC(Played at Anfield)
(2014-15)
Last season was a season to forget for both the Merseyside clubs as both the clubs failed miserably after setting up high expectations amongst their faithful and the football pundits.Liverpool lost their star man in Luis Suarez while their other star Sturridge missed most of the early and later stages of the season.Liverpool played in the UEFA Champions League and failed to get past the Group stages.They even crashed out of the UEFA Europa League in the Round of 32 while Everton failed to get past the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League.Season of expectations at the Merseyside ended in disappointment.
Merseyside derby results(2014-15):
1.LIVERPOOL FC 1-1 EVERTON FC(Played at Anfield)
2.EVERTON FC 0-0 LIVERPOOL FC(Played at Goodison Park)
It was the start of the 2013-14 season,nobody would have expected the two Merseyside giants to put up a challenge and push for the top.2013-14 season belonged to Merseyside with one club stunning everyone with their attacking brand of play and the other with their hard fighting spirit.Liverpool FC and especially their much famed attacing prowess of Suarez and Sturridge proved a handy for most of their Premier League rivals.Liverpool not only won a place in the top 4 but also almost won the league.But at the end they screwed up and came 2nd losing the league to Manchester City by 2 points.On the other hand,Everton FC also played an attacking brand of football and nearly booked their place in the Top 4 but the pressure got into them and they nearly lost their 4th place to Arsenal and came 5th.Both the clubs succumbed during the ending stages of the league,but it would be fair to say that nobody expected the two clubs to go that far.So despite their hiccups at the end,their season can be branded as a success.
Merseyside derby results(2013-14) :
1.EVERTON FC 3-3 LIVERPOOL FC(Played at Goodison park)
2.LIVERPOOL FC 4-0 EVERTON FC(Played at Anfield)
(2014-15)
Last season was a season to forget for both the Merseyside clubs as both the clubs failed miserably after setting up high expectations amongst their faithful and the football pundits.Liverpool lost their star man in Luis Suarez while their other star Sturridge missed most of the early and later stages of the season.Liverpool played in the UEFA Champions League and failed to get past the Group stages.They even crashed out of the UEFA Europa League in the Round of 32 while Everton failed to get past the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League.Season of expectations at the Merseyside ended in disappointment.
Merseyside derby results(2014-15):
1.LIVERPOOL FC 1-1 EVERTON FC(Played at Anfield)
2.EVERTON FC 0-0 LIVERPOOL FC(Played at Goodison Park)
EXPECTATIONS AND MANAGER’S LIFE AFTER THE GAME
We can expect a free flowing game of football with both the sides going for a win.Everton will be looking to defeat their town rivals and set their sight on the top 4.Liverpool on the other side will seek confidence after the return of Sturridge.They will go for a win but the form and Venue do not favour them.
For the Everton Manager a win would win him even more applauds.The fans will go beserk and the team will be looking to kill off their opponents at the goodison after back to back thrashing of Chelsea and Liverpool.I think the Everton side and the fans respect and trust Roberto Martinez a lot and they will be backing him anyhow.
For Brendan Rodgers it will be a must win game and anything less than a victory will surely make him the villain in fans eyes and he will surely get the sack sooner rather than later.He cannot make excuses as the board has backed him throughout his bad time.A victory will surely give Rodgers the breathing space and the fans some confidence.With many managers been linked with Liverpool,it will be interesting to see how Rodgers manages this game and how he applies his beliefs and Ideas.
For the Everton Manager a win would win him even more applauds.The fans will go beserk and the team will be looking to kill off their opponents at the goodison after back to back thrashing of Chelsea and Liverpool.I think the Everton side and the fans respect and trust Roberto Martinez a lot and they will be backing him anyhow.
For Brendan Rodgers it will be a must win game and anything less than a victory will surely make him the villain in fans eyes and he will surely get the sack sooner rather than later.He cannot make excuses as the board has backed him throughout his bad time.A victory will surely give Rodgers the breathing space and the fans some confidence.With many managers been linked with Liverpool,it will be interesting to see how Rodgers manages this game and how he applies his beliefs and Ideas.
THIS SEASON’S STRUGGLE OF LIVERPOOL AND HOT FORM OF EVERTON
Liverpool FC are in jeopardy as they are neither good at defending nor at attacking.The Reds seem to have lost their attacking flair since their star striker Luis Suarez left and continuous Sturridge injury struggle has further added to their woes.Liverpool have signed star Belgian striker Christian Benteke and former Burnley star Danny Ings while Divock Origi has returned from his loan spell at Lille.Despite this and the powerful midfield of Milner,Coutinho,Firmino & Emre Can,Liverpool are struggling to create opportunities.Their Captain Jordan Henderson is out for two months with a broken foot which further puts the Liverpool engine room in struggle.Back four is inconsistent as they have let in goals for fun (3-1 defeat at Old Trafford and 0-3 defeat at Anfield to West Ham).Liverpool even failed to beat Norwich and Carlisle during the course of the 90 minutes at Anfield.Last week’s goalscoring return of Sturridge and a 3-2 win over Aston Will may help them give a boost and they will try to regroup and find their form ahead of the derby at Goodison Park.
Everton on the other hand are red hot on form.Having beaten Southampton 3-0 at the St.Marys and Chelsea 3-1 at Goodison,Roberto Martinez’s men are on a high.Last game they came back from 1-0 down to beat the West Brom side 3-2 at the hawthorns.A derby match win over their derby rivals Liverpool will give them that extra motivation and they can push on to the top from that instant.Romelu Lukaku’s Striking and Solid defense are sure to cause any side big trouble.
Everton on the other hand are red hot on form.Having beaten Southampton 3-0 at the St.Marys and Chelsea 3-1 at Goodison,Roberto Martinez’s men are on a high.Last game they came back from 1-0 down to beat the West Brom side 3-2 at the hawthorns.A derby match win over their derby rivals Liverpool will give them that extra motivation and they can push on to the top from that instant.Romelu Lukaku’s Striking and Solid defense are sure to cause any side big trouble.
PREDICTIONS
Seeing the earlier results and the availability of players in both camps,I think this match will end in a draw and neither team will be ready to accept defeat.
EVERTON FC 2-2 LIVERPOOL FC
Seeing the earlier results and the availability of players in both camps,I think this match will end in a draw and neither team will be ready to accept defeat.
EVERTON FC 2-2 LIVERPOOL FC
Who do you think will be the winner? What are your expectations from the game? Will Brendan Rodgers be sacked if he loses this game? Comment in your views about this derby Share the blog. Cheers! | MERSEYSIDE DERBY-IT'S MORE THAN JUST 90 MINUTES |