"We played well and had enough chances to win the game." Those words have been uttered by Gerard Houllier time and time again this season, often following games when we've barely mustered a shot on target. After this game however, those comments wouldn't actually do justice to how well his side actually played.
The first half was one of the most entertaining in recent Merseyside derby history. The second was almost completely one sided as the reds produced arguably their best 90 minute display of attacking football this season. But for the brilliance of Nigel Martyn this would have been a rout, although Jerzy Dudek needed to be on top form too, especially in the opening 45 minutes.
Houllier opted for the same eleven which had been so impressive in the second half of last weekends cup victory over Newcastle. Given the lack of options available, he had little choice, but the absence of certain players (mentioning no names, you all know who I mean) actually worked in the reds' favour. The presence of Traore, Riise and Biscan on the bench
The blues were spoilt for choice up front, although for all their striking 'talent' none of them are scoring regularly. Drunken declared himself fit after being a doubt all week (big shock there, as if he'd miss their cup final), so Rooney started on the wing with Radzinski partnering Ferguson.
The sight of Rooney lining up on the right was a boost for the reds, as he was never going to get any change out of Carragher, and so it proved. Aside form one excellent run through the centre just after half time, Rooney did nothing and was eventually subbed.
Surprisingly, he kept his cool throughout, which for someone who normally plays the game just under boiling point was quite an accomplishment. Maybe he's learning. The booing of him was unnecessary in my opinion. For a start, he's done nothing to warrant it, and booing him just gives him more credibility. Save the booing for toerags like Jeffers, and players who have sinned against us in the past. If Rooney does so in future, then boo him. Right now he's not significant enough to be booed.
The main threat to the reds in the opening period was Radzinski. The Canadian has the speed of Michael Owen, but thankfully for us he has the striking instincts of Michael Branch. If being able to run fast was all that is needed to be a top striker, then Radzinski would be world class. Unfortunately for him, pace isn't enough, which is why he is playing for Everton.
In fairness, the blues played well in the first half, and played their part in what was as entertaining a 45 minutes as I've seen at Anfield in some time. It was end to end, and both goalkeepers were regularly called into action.
Martyn made a great save from Hamann's spectacular 25 yard left foot volley, and then twice saved brilliantly from Gerrard, although on both occasions the reds skipper should have scored. Stevie also saw another effort roll inches wide of the post after a surging run , as the reds carved out chance after chance.
At the other end, Radzinski got in behind the reds defence but forgot to take the ball with him, and ended up trying a feeble back heel which was easily cleared. Minutes later, he was in behind Hyypia again, but this time he was tripped as he bore down on goal.
Sami definitely caught him, I was right in line with it. It wasn't deliberate, but we were lucky that the linesman kept his flag down as Sami could have been off. It would have been harsh, but we've seen them given. No doubt the blues will be whingeing about this for the next thirty years, but they'll conveniently overlook the blatant pen we were denied when Drunken wrestled Sami to the ground from a Liverpool corner.
The blues then had a strong penalty claim of their own, when Carragher appeared to handle a cross from the left wing. There's no doubt his arm was raised and touched the ball, but just like in the derby game at Goodison in 2001, when Carra handled on the edge of the area whilst going for a high ball with Drunken, the reds defender was being pushed.
Carragher isn't going to just jump up and puch the ball for no reason. But when he's in mid air and he's shoved underneath the ball there's not a lot he can do. That said, we've seen them given and it was a relief that the referee ignored their vociferous appeals.
Seconds after that incident though, the ball was swung in from the opposite flank, and Stubbs met it with a bullet like header which Dudek acrobatically turned away. It was a stunning stop from the Pole, his second of the game having earlier denied Gravesen with his legs. He's been shaky this season, but today he was great. With Kirky on the way back, Dudek will need to keep up this level of performance to keep his place.
The defending from both sides wasn't great in the opening half, and Ferguson should have scored with a free header at the Kop end from a Rooney cross. Other than that however, Ferguson's contribution was restricted to a catalogue of stray elbows and abuse for the official.
There was a time when I used to really worry about us having to face Drunken. Not only is he tall, but he could jump too and was a formidable opponent. Now though he's a shadow of the player he was. It's lucky for him he is so tall, because he looks like he's got lead in his boots. He can hardly get off the ground, and the only member of the reds back four he regularly beat in the air was Finnan.
If the first half was relatively even, the second half was all Liverpool. Aside from a Stubbs free-kick which was again superbly saved by Dudek, and a Rooney surge through the centre which ended with a wayward shot, the blues were completely on the back foot.
Liverpool played some great stuff, driven on by the inspirational Gerrard and the ever reliable Hamann. The reds dominated the midfield after the break, prompting Moyes to withdraw Nyarko and send on Lee Carsley to partner fellow baldy Graveson. It made little difference, as Gerrard was rampant and Hamann was picking up all the bits in the way that only he can.
Le Tallec was also impressive on his derby debut, and Cheyrou improved dramatically in the second period. His first half display was the Bruno who I've been watching in the reserves for the past 18 months. His second half performance was more like the player we've seen in the past couple of weeks.
Michael was well shackled by Stubbs and Pistone for the most part, and it was Kewell that was finding space. Unfortunately Harry's not in the best of form of late. He's almost there, but his final pass or shot is letting him down badly. Like Owen though, it's only a matter of time before he clicks into top gear.
Liverpool were pouring forward from all angles. Finnan spent more time in the blues area than he did his own, and Carra was marauding forward from left back and twice went close to scoring. Jamie's performances since his return have been unbelievable. He was fucking ace again today, in defence and attack.
This type of football is what we've been crying out for. We didn't win, but God only knows how. Twice the blues cleared off the line from corners, whilst Martyn denied Carragher with his feet after Jamie's first time left foot shot had been deflected.
There were also a couple of reasonable handball appeals which weren't given, one against Carsley which was blatant, but considering the decisions which went our way in the first half we can't complain too much, and to be fair to Houllier he didn't (unlike Moyes who had a good old whinge). At least the ref was consistent.
Cheyrou should have scored with a header, and also had a couple of shots from distance, but it wasn't to be his or Liverpool's day.
The result was disappointing, but the performance hugely encouraging. On another day we'd have had six. Hopefully that day will be at Bolton next week, although Sam Allardyce's side are a much tougher prospect than the blues.
The atmosphere was pretty good once again, although the lack of originality on the Kop these days continues to disappoint. When Jeffers was warming up in front of them and acting like the prick we all know he is, it was sad that "Who the fucking hell are you" was the best we could come up with. Those ears of his are screaming out to be ridiculed, but as of yet no-one has come up with anything. That needs addressing.
And in a week when our neighbours have once again embarrassed themselves with their sheer poverty, could nobody have started a song about "get your balls out for the blues"? In years gone by the Kop would have seized upon something like that and mercilessly ripped the piss. Those days are well and truly gone, probably never to return.
Still, we're not as bad as our friendly neighbourhood bluenoses. The "murderers" chant was once again in evidence, but the most bitter scenes came when we didn't return the ball to them after Le Tallec had received treatment.
What the dickheads didn't seem to understand, was that the ball wasn't deliberately put out so our player could receive treatment. What actually happened was that Le Tallec went down, but we carried on and the blues only put the ball out to clear the danger, it had nothing to do with sportsmanship. That's why we never gave them the ball back.
So all in all a disappointing result, but it's now 9 games since we've tasted defeat to the bitters. For all the criticisms I have of Houllier, his derby record is something to be proud of. With Charlton losing the incredibly disloyal Scott Parker, and then suffering a home defeat to Bolton, the battle for fourth place is now well and truly on.
The pyschological damage Parker's desertion will have could see Curbishley's side sink like a stone, and with Fulham suffering similarly through Saha's departure, it looks to be a straight fight between us and the Geordies. Maybe it will go down to the final game?
