SECOND half Liverpool remembered they were Liverpool. Everton were left with the stark reality of being Everton.
Redshite that sentence? Perhaps. But this is what happened. One football side expressed superiority over the other and that superiority drained and drained and drained a football team. There is this idea — that superiority leads to chance, after chance, after chance. Leads to the joy of being alive over and over again. Leads to everything. Instead this — superiority can lead to exhausting a football team till their will breaks and they sag before your eyes. Can sap a side. Can destroy a side. And finally, finally, finish a side.
Everton sagged before our eyes. Sapped. Destroyed. Finished.
The game wasn’t a classic though, the result was. There is no better way to win the Derby than that. Sadio Mane adds himself to the litany of lads who have done the decent thing against Everton late on.
It was a scrap. First half especially. If anything, Liverpool were too eager to win the right to play rather than actually play, but Liverpool wanted to assert themselves albeit cack-handedly. The Reds found solidity from Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren. Jordan Henderson’s composure not what it has been. Adam Lallana not on the ball and Divock Origi holding nothing up; bringing nothing into play, frustrating the balls off you. One more, Liverpool, whereas Liverpool are offering one less.
Everton played quite well, put 40 into 20 and needed the goal that never came. James McCarthy buzzed about the gaff and Idrissa Gueye showed his class. It was Aaron Lennon and Enner Valencia who didn’t have what was required, lacked one moment of quality, ceded that ground to the Reds.
Throughout the first half all I could think was get to the break, get to the break. Not because I didn’t think Liverpool were hanging on, but because I thought these lads would be capable of so much more once they had sat down and had a think and a chat about it.
Quick things to have a think and a chat about:
Quick note — This should be the night Gini Wijnaldum is adored as a Liverpool player. He’ll scrap for you. For me. The extent to which he is against his press prior to arrival isn’t to be sniffed at. Because he will not be scoring any goals any time soon.
Quick note — Daniel Sturridge made a world of difference. Brought all the cutting edge. Touch, touch, touch, touch. Live with this. Touch. Touch. Liverpool. Liverpool.
Quick note — “Always The Victims…” is not only a Hillsborough song but one which criticises the quest for justice. It’s a song Everton are better than.
Quick note – Moody as onions that from Ross Barkley. Genuinely bad tackle. Henderson did well to keep his head. He showed the composure second half that was lacking first. Kept shifting and moving. Think about what you would have done. He’s a strange player, Henderson. He needs friction in the game at times to be smooth when his game is often a smidgeon too rough.
Quick note – Emre Can on Romelu Lukaku. Great tackle.
The end was marvellous. It was a joy to be alive this evening. It becomes this: cop for that, take that, stitch that, deal with that. It becomes everything because everything is winning just that game of football, not just because of the league but because that game of football is everything in this neck of the woods and it always should be. It becomes everything because of Christmas and families and life. It is everything because football is everything, this city rocks and rolls to it. It rocks and rolls to our rhythm.
There is nothing left but that joy, that raw joy. The league table is irrelevant to my interests before tomorrow. One thing is relevant to my interests — Liverpool. That dominance. We were due that.
The goal took a yonk to come and a yonk to be scored.
I want one thing — Zapruder footage of the goal. Sturridge. Sturridge. Ball. Post. Mane. Mane. There. I want every frame from every angle. I want every face in the crowd. I want the 90 seconds that followed the goal. I want everyone’s name. I want an investigation. I want to look at all the documents. I want to see all the faces. I want every move and shift till the ball hits the net. I want that goal over and over through dot theory. Every dot means something, we all have something. Below tell me where you were and how it happened, tell me what you did, tell me how it felt. I want everything.
Tonight Sadio Mane has scored a goal we will think of a thousand times, watch a thousand times more. That’s football. It’s Liverpool.
Up the Zapruder Reds.
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In Los Angeles. In the office. Have three monitors set up. 2 large and a small laptop screen. Can usually get away with the match on the small laptop screen, but nothing more. Once we hit 90, put it on one of the big ones (boss was away at the time). Hits the post, immediate feeling of “oh no”. Once I noticed Mane was ahead of Funes Mori I started to stand. Hit the net, and hands immediately in the air. The rest of the day, no work was done. Just spent on Twitter looking at the glorious Reds and the blue-fume. What a day
A red ripple amongst a sea of blue…
Sat in the Upper Bullens, close to the Gwladys Street, surrounded by blues, next to my blue older brother, it was a tough 98 mins…
On, 94 mins,as Gini sprayed the ball out to Clyne, I said out loud ‘that’s a great ball’… And had to quickly qualify it with a gentle, but firm ‘fucks sake’ and the next thing I knew, the Blues were pouring towards the exit… It was an excruciating experience! But thank you Mane, Mane, Mane !!
Overall the atmosphere was pretty good, some unpleasantness from one young dickhead behind me, but generally just the usual Red shite jibes..
Off to bed to listen to The Pink.. Thank,you,Red Men!!!!
In Birmingham, Alabama, of all places. Took the day post lunch off, ready to watch the Derby. Like you said on the pink Neil, I somehow always knew the goal was coming. Post, agony, Mane, ecstasy. Boom
Imperious writing. Hats off to you, Neil – for eloquence beyond the reach of us mere mortals.
Put into the context of feeling that glorious euphoria combined with the blur of copious alcohol consumption, your writing talents are non pareil.
Would have loved to have been there. You take us there.
And hope someone stopped off at Ye Cracke after the match and rubbed it in big time to those 2 bitter lags that prop up the front bar.
Watched at a sports bar in a frigid Cleveland, Ohi0.
Surprising amount of Reds fanatics here.
2016. Worst fuckin year of my life. Watched the game with my Dad who knows what this year’s been, muttering under my breath, “We have to score” and needing it. Waiting, feeling every bit of Jordan Henderson’s ankle, calling for Sturridge on 65. We win it in injury time and the floodgates opened. Total catharsis, screaming, jumping in arms, tears. The Solstice is Wednesday, when the days begin to lengthen and people for thousands of years have celebrated the beauty of hope. Walk on you fucking hopeful Reds. 2017 is our year.
Great post mate – have tears in my eyes understanding your pain/ecstasy, went through the same
#up the yanky doodle redmen
Where? – my flat in Singapore
How did it happen? – on Ultra HD in all its glory
What did I do? – jumped up and down whilst roaring something like ‘yeeeesss, fucking get in!’ (along with a few choice words about the opposition), and subsequently waking half the block up as goal went in at 5.40am local time
How did it feel? – ecstacy followed by the homesickness usually brought on by such occasions.
Great result!
In Kennedys pub in Dublin city centre, big screen full of anxious Reds, urging on the boys then 8 minutes go up, we relax as with Sturridge we always carry a threat and lo and behold we went bananas thanks to our Senegalese cheetah, Happy Christmas Reds fans, the dinner will be almost as tasty as 2013
What a buzz!
I know TAW have a lot of international followers and some might read the comments but I don’t think they can comprehend the bile, anger and bitterness displayed on the Everton faces tonight. Seeing is believing but I think it’s unrivalled the world over. It was fantastic to see. Men in their 70’s bouncing up to the divide, faces contorted in sheer rage. Most of it aimed at the lad in front of me with his scarf of some Romanian team, haha. Quality. The more we laughed at them and bounced on our seats singing ‘mane mane’ the worse they got. One of the best things I’ve ever seen. They were like a pack of hyenas. The hatred for us was etched or carved across their faces. We revelled in it.
We bounced out still singing ‘mane mane’ (or I did at least) and they wanted to kill me. They were frothing at the mouth like rabid dogs. I walked past one of their pubs where they bouncing all over the place looking for anyone who was red. Seething. Even at the train stn in town I was just whistling ‘sugar, oh honey honey’ and a group of lads no older than my son surrounded me giving me the eyes. I said to one of them, listen mate, I’ve drowned bigger cats than you now do one. Everton fans everywhere were livid. Sensational. What can possibly be better than a last minute winner against them? On the train I spotted 4 fans sitting near me and I pretended to be a blue. I said, fuckin hell lads what did you make of that as I shook my head in feigned disappointment. Amongst their own they opened up about how sick they were. I was nodding comfortingly but inside the glee I felt at making them admit how gutted they were took me to new heights. What a way to lose. What a way to win. We needed that. They didn’t but where there’s winners there has to be losers and they’re more suited to that kind of thing. What can you do, innit.
P.s saw John G at half time. He said we’d win with a last minute Sturridge winner. Millimetres off being spot on.
Fab descript Robin.
I remember walking back to town with my lady, slowly, after losing to Birmingham in Nov ’04 0-1. Happened upon 3 teenagers lolling a ball between them. Seeing our scarves, one asks “how’d th’match go?” and without thinking I blurted out “we lost one nil” while suddenly dawning on me… 3 lads. A ball. Ten to six in Liverpool on a Saturday – the feckin dogs in the street knew the results. I realised they were blueies. Shit!! Stung! and sure enough, saw the shared smirks and felt the loss magnified. Little b**st*rds!!
I hope one of them were among those blues you ’empathised’ with on the train.
We owed them that one too after they rolled over to City in April ’14 without bothering their asses, knowing a City win would damage our Title run. Small club, small minds.
Well… we sure Showed them the Mane!!
“On the train I spotted 4 fans sitting near me and I pretended to be a blue. I said, fuckin hell lads what did you make of that as I shook my head in feigned disappointment. Amongst their own they opened up about how sick they were. I was nodding comfortingly but inside the glee I felt at making them admit how gutted they were took me to new heights.”
This is hilariously evil. I hope you were wearing a fake moustache.
In my living room in Brooklyn, danced and screamed like a loon with 3 year old son, wife not impressed when we woke my 2 month old son. But the joy had me bursting. Sat with a glass of red now, kids asleep. Absolutely glowing. Great review Neil. Love these red men.
Marvelous.
The headline is the best i have seen … ever.
in my room wiv big brother. goal goal! keep going reds!!! good luck to everton.
n every league game since Swansea away, I’ve had the league and the league table and all its permutations running through my head in addition to the actual match unfolding. Not today though. Usually when a derby feels entirely an entity unto itself, it’s cos any title hopes have vanished weeks or months ago, but this time was different. Wasn’t thinking about Chelsea, fuck Chelsea. Just had to win. We did. All the sweeter for having won it in the best possible way right at the death.
I’m too young – and on the wrong side of the world – to remember Leeds in 2000/01 first-hand, but I love the commentary: “Robbie Fowler.. oh he’s hit the post… here’s Barmby… YES! LIVERPOOL HAVE STOLEN IT!”. Jurgen wants a season to look back on – maybe in 15 years we’ll all look back on tonight/today in a similar way. This is about the right now, though. This gang of Reds are the highlight of my week, and that’s all you can reasonably ask of a football side. Love youz all.
On a train from Inverness, so the old fashioned radio had to do. Dead quiet, bar a few late night wandering souls scattered around the train that crawled its way in the dead of night through the dark and barren Highlands.
And we score. Tried to contain myself, thought I did alright until I realised heads were turned towards my direction. That euphoria so great it penetrated its way into the isolated corners of the UK that are more accustomed to the solitude ways of life! It’s what Liverpool FC do – it continues to shed light on the darkest and loneliest of places in the world.
This is what it’s all about. Up the reds!
Saw the game on my laptop at a cafe in Philadelphia. Throughout the game I had that feeling that Everton might undo our push in the second half with some worldie, and I would feel really bad for the away fans at the park.
Instead once I saw the 8 digit register on the injury time board, I cleared my head and just sat focused on the Red shirts, and urged them on to go on and get something.
Daniel Sturridge in his sublime should have had that one, he would have had he been playing regularly, but that’ll do Danny boy, and onward rushes the Senagalese! Poacher at his best. He wanted that, and get he deserved it!!!
Well done Jurgen, well done Redmen, well done away fans!!!
One game at a time.
Up the Reds!!!
As a wannabe sociologist, the culture of Everton fascinates me. Two Clubs that share the same city; supporters sometimes divided within same families; yet we are unrecognisable to them.
I have never seen a mob that are so vile, so full of contempt, so full of hatred, so full of rage; of jealousy. They are embarrassing… that lot.
The Reds, Liverpool Football Club… we are glorious. We just go about, play our football, sing our songs, gather our points, gather our trophies. We are Liverpool, we’re the best football team in the land, yes we are.
In my midtown Manhattan office. Tense as tense can be. Then post, rebound, Mane, and a huge “get fucking in” heard by the rest of the floor (who fortunately understand my Red passion). Seconds later both phones ring with calls from my sons (10 and 14) screaming with joy, and my brother in Sydney messages me with “MANE – GET IN”.
Up the global joy Derby winning Reds.
Neil-
Thanks for all that you gents & ladies do. I watched the match in Atlanta GA at Fado Irish Pub. Once Mane’s strike rolled in, my friends and I went wild. Pure joy! The bar owner blasted YNWA post match, it was an epic day. As always, win this league Liverpool!
Hey Patrick, you a regular at Fado? Brian Russell still the manager there?
In the end, the upper half of the best end, the end which bounced magnificently in the 94th minute of the derby. The end which made this the very happiest of Mondays. Take the Cure classic and change it, forget Friday, this was Monday and I was in love.
Great to see the TAW lads before the game and at half time in the concourse and hats off to a collective strong coat game.
YNWA
On a hotel bed, in Phnom Penh, 4:50am. Screaming bloody blue murder and half expecting the Khmer police to come storming through the door, shooting first and asking questions later.
At home, managed not to wake everybody. My yes moment was the 8 minutes I think. I was thinking before the sign went up that the dam was so near to breaking – if only we had another 10 minutes. And we got 8 (as an aside, there was 1 in the first half after a decent injury break – one day surely there will be timekeeping for grownups).
But after, no Zapruder but two different sets of pictures – TV and computer. On the TV, the distances are shown at different points of how far Mane and the defenders were away from the ball, Mane further away to the last. But Mane is running. Mane from his angle sees that the ball is hitting the post and is off. On the computer, Carra – and what a man to have talking you through it – pointing out that if the ball had bounced the other way, Firmino is there.
And then you see that Koeman has been Evertonised. Never mind that Barclay has earned one red and two yellows, he wants to moan about the big man. As if taking issue with someone trying to break your skipper’s leg is an offence. Harden up. And get out now mate.
Yes, the goal from every angle. But give me Klavan cam as well – first among equals in a defence that basically took a quarter of the field out of play. No wonder Klopp wants a keeper who can play – on nights like yesterday, it seems a waste otherwise.
Sat in my living room as most of the Abu Dhabi reds had gone home for Christmas- whatsapp group very lively – I’m always chiming in with stuff and pictures/comments agogo popping up. My other red mate sat in his apartment 5 mins away as it’s a work night and KO is at midnight here. I take 3,4,5 circuits of the pool as my stomach and my head has gone – lap 5 coincided with the goal. Whatsapp group on fire, jumping round the place, waiting for the pink – bollocking to sleep now I’ll beach it tomorrow -and urging nay compelling all our lot to GET ON the Anfield Wrap!!! Up the gut wrenching ball breaking reds
At home with my son. We hugged and hugged and jumped and laughed when Mane scored. Wonderful.
Mane’s scoring, all around us
kopites singing, having fun
It’s the season – love and understanding
Merry Christmas. Everton..
At a hotel pub in Dubai, 1:40am. Two other Reds (that I have never met before) at the next table, all glued on the TV. Hookers in the pub ignored us once they realised we were there for the football jot for the vice…
Sturridge shifted the ball to left foot: three of us stood up.
Sturridge shot: our hands were raised
Mane scored: we jumped, shouted, hugged like long lost brothers
…..and received a big round of applause from everyone else around us, including ladies of the night.
Two more to go for this year, Reds!
In Melbourne. Having the worst bout of gastro I can remember. Spent all night throwing up, but preserved for the 7am kick off. Whilst empty the contents of my guts for the seventh time, praying for the world to end, I hear ‘Sturridge, off the post, MANE!’. Pain and joy collide in the most remarkable way. Unforgettable.
Was a strange day. Found a Blackbird flying around the house after coming back from a weekend away. Thought this was a sign and began to worry more. Began to worry more first half then began to worry that our dominance wouldn’t pay second half. Drinking tea (sigh) at home. Spilt tea (don’t care). Up the Reds! Blackbird welcome anytime.
Always remember something Neil Atkinson said in a podcast yonks ago about – sometimes a game is decided simply on who is better inside both 18 yard boxes.
Man United won titles on this. They played games where they were evenly matched in that space between both 18 yard lines, but they had that extra something inside the opponents 18 yard box.
Took us 94 minutes last night to be better than them inside the 18 yard box.
That’ll do.
In Goa for my dads 50th. The game kicked off at 1:30am. Staying in the Hilton here, we’re very lucky we’ve got Star Sports Select HD to watch the game in the room.
Made it my mission to finish the whole bottle of vodka and Sadio Mane made it much easier. Kept telling my dad Origi needs the hook because Sturridge is better in smaller spaces, and boy did Everton crowd their own box out!
Absolute scenes when that goal went in, -‘d memories to last a lifetime. What a journey this season is, we’re on the march with Jürgen’s army!
Wijnaldum is brilliant and integral to our style, he deserves so much credit for his performances this season so thanks for pointing him out Neil!
In a bar in Harare, Zimbabwe(not the game to watch at home with the madam yacking on about everything except how brilliant the reds are.). Sturbridge searches for a gap inside, hits post, heart deflates, mane quick as a flash, heart almost explodes, get poked in eye by one supporter going all shades of mad. absolutely amazing. L.I.V.E.R.P.O.O.L LIVERPOOLFC!!!
At my friend’s house, 11:40pm, contemplating if I should go home, it’s quite a drive to get home and I still have to work in the morning, I hold on, something will happen, something must happen, then…
Sturridge on the edge of the box, passes on defender, another one, I think he’ll shoot, hoping that he’ll shoot. waiting on a classic Studge moment, left shot, bang, goal, we win. He eventually gets his shot away, it looked so weak I thought Robles would get it, it hits the post, Mane pounces and Boom!!! we got the goal, we celebrate but can’t scream, his family is sleeping and it’s already 12:00am. Silent Hi-five’s and fist bumps are all we’re reduced to but it does’nt matter, we’re 6 points behind the log leaders and Liverpool is once again red. Funny how we love a City we’ve never been to, that’s LFC for you…
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Where- in my living room in Hong Kong
Thought for 95 minutes it just wasn’t going to come . . . .
Then the agony (post) and (ecstasy) Mane of the goal and I was in danger of not just waking my 3 kids, the wife, the dog and two cats but the rest of the village too.
Merry Christmas all.
WTRWWAW
In the car , a sunny Tuesday morning in Ponsonby, Auckland…. one man is going fuckin mental cos the reds have just scored… everyone else is oblivious!
At home, 2 kids asleep upstairs…..I roared a silent scream that would wake the dead!
LOL!
In a front room in the North West of England, alone, wife scratching around in the room next door trying to make a Christmas for the kids who are asleep upstairs. Dad died a couple of weeks ago. We bury him on Thursday. It’s been a hard year. Really hard. Watching the Reds, alone. Thinking of my brother. Normally we would be texting back and forth during away games. Nothing from him and I don’t text either. He’ll be thinking of Dad; me too. Dad wasn’t a Liverpool fan, he supported someone else. Moved to Liverpool in 1965 at 17 years old. He went alternate weeks to Anfield and Goodison 65/66. Told me he came preferring Everton. It didn’t last. He had taste my Dad. Always had a nice word for them though. He would have texted when the goal went in. I told myself if we scored I wouldn’t shout out. Who was I kidding? Football: sometimes you need it more than you realise. Thanks for the win, red men. Thanks for the football Dad.
All the best to you and yours mate! Up the Reds!
Hey Jude….
Cheer up. Everything will be alright…. Go on and listen to the YNWA and let the lyrics sink in.
Thoughts and prayers.
Hi Jude, Sorry to hear about your dad. I lost mine in 2010. Your dad sounds class too. Hope your kids are doing well as it maybe harder for them. Do your best to keep your head up mate, they’ll need you.
The Reds will do their bit too.
YNWA
Struck down with gastro in a hotel room in Sydney. Did everything I could not to spray my guts everywhere when I jumped up when the goal went in. Would have been worth it.
Home for Christmas in Dublin in the local pub with my best mates, and Liverpool beat Everton in the 94th minute. What more can you ask for? :)
Its fantastic reading these stories from Reds in exile.
I think I have it rough living 200 miles away but at least I have my season ticket and can get to most home games. There is nothing more boring than old people going on about the past but this week is the 50th anniversary of my first date (Futurist on Lime St, just knocked down) and our worst ever defeat in Europe, 5-1 at Ajax. It wasn’t on the radio or tele and news slowly filtered through the ether of what had happened in the fog in Amsterdam. Its brilliant that the Red family around the world can now see the match in real time, and HD.
YNWA
Good piece that,except for the ‘always the victim’ comment,many Everton aren’t better than that,they’ve been at it for fucking years,at least they lasted almost half an hour before the ‘murderers’ chant this time,another Everton first.
Like rabid dogs let off a leash (fans and team alike), God awful Banner thing at the start WTF!!!!! Wild football, atmosphere toxic. They carried on like a League 1/2 side when a giant of the football world comes to town on FA Cup 3rd Round day. Classless, useless and full of bile the lot of them….
Great article, amazing comments from the worldwide reds. We really do never walk alone. You have got me in bits there Jude, all the best to you and yours. I was in a sarf London boozer, could have been Scottie Road when the goal went in. Yes we have better players. But it’s not just technical ability. Our lads are fitter and braver than theirs. And you don’t buy or coach appetite, that’s inherent and Mane had more apetite and we had more apetite and we’re going all the way. Merry fucking Christmas
In my living room, been ill since Saturday with a horrible virus that’s laid me up in my bed since Saturday.
Still feeling like shit but I wasn’t going to miss this so dragged myself downstairs to watch it still feeling terrible.
When the ball was played over to Clyne and he passed it to Sturridge it was like watching a game in slow motion, I stated to sit up more then a bit more as he hit the post I was on my feet and when Mane put the ball in the net I was sliding full pelt on my knees towards the tv!!
Shouting so load I nearly woke my 2 year old up!
As I turned round I saw my Wife and step daughter shaking there heads looking at me like some crazy person who’s just been released from the nut house for those 2 minutes I didn’t care I was ill or my Wife and step daughter thought I was some deranged mentalists and I seemed to have made a remarkable recovery I didn’t care it was pure ecstasy!
Back to bed now and hopefully I’ll be ok for Stoke at home
Loving the comments on here today. Absolutely fascinating to see where all these regular commenters watched the match. Just on an Everton site and they were doing the same, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Flint and right across North Wales. In saying that though, I met some mates in the centre last night and they were waiting for their tickets. Turned out they were off Everton fans from the Boston supporters group. They admitted they weren’t very numerous and nowhere near as big as Liverpool’s. They were all at college but came from places like Cleveland and I think one said Albany, near New Jersey. They were over only for the game. It’s incredible dedication. Someone high up in Boston, ahem, had sorted them tickets for both ends and after sorting my mates out for the Liverpool end they still had excess LFC tickets. Incredible really. Anyway, fantastic to read where everyone watched. Up the global Reds.
I know ‘all’ about you, Robin, regularly reading all your comments haha. Cheers
Haha. Always trying to put sunny Chester on the map and aside from that I prefer personal comments to generic ones. I’m trying to build a mental image of the world around me. What’s your nationality Josh? I thought you were from Hong Kong but it’s Dubai today. Cheers
Hi Robin. Thanks for the reply. A long story…here it is. Born in Burma back in the pre-tv days, listened to Liverpool on BBC (strongly started supported a team that was on Radio– no idea how Delglish or Rush looked like). Singapore citizen. Lived/worked in HK, Korea, Philippines, US and now in Dubai…Have seen Reds played in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and HK, but not yet at Anfield.
Chester — so I assume some neighbour of Owen and Woodburn :) Cheers
Wow, fantastic story. Always intrigued how kids in Asia get attracted to LFC, more so back then. Taking nothing away from it but around that time the radio was how we listened too most of the time. I certainly knew Rush though. He played for Chester.
Owen and Danny Murphy were born in the same hospital as me but Woodburn moved to Tattenhall (kind of like a district of Chester) when he was a baby so we claim him as our own. Owen moved about 5 miles over the border into Wales as a kid and lives on a country estate there still. My estate is nearby. He’s a nice lad. Don’t listen to what people say. Very down to earth. Murphy is closer to my social circle though. I go skiing with the lads he grew up with in school.
Great to hear. The summer Liverpool were about to sign Murphy, England U20 (or 21?) were in Singapore and Owen and Carra were big attraction since they were Liverpool lads, and Murphy impressed the most with his creative side of play in the centre. saw Owen in Dubai hotel lobby a few years back. Since he seemed to be busy (possibly talking about horses), I left him alone. Cheers Robin.
Hi Robin, Josh, we’ve never met, but I’ve read comments from you both ever since I can remember, and always it’s heartfelt and worth the read, even when things looked bleak for the Reds.
Robin I appreciate the vast experience and knowledge you’ve often cited in your comments, even though some of it goes above my head at times, but I always find it good to learn something, and all the more from a fellow Red.
I was born in Bombay, raised in Dubai, then moved to the States, living in Philadelphia now. Liverpool FC picked me one evening in Dubai as I returned from a football match with my mates. We weren’t allowed to watch the telly those days, but for some reason it was on Channel 33 for those of you from Dubai, and the Reds were playing the Scum in April. We won that match 1-0. I’ve watched nearly every match I could since, on the telly, stadium, laptop whatever/wherever in the US, Anfield or London when I’ve visited.
Hope to hear more from you and Josh. The next match isn’t going to be any easier, but I look forward to it.
Happy Holidays and hope the new year goes well for you both and your families, and for the rest of the fans, the team and the gaffer.
Cheers!
Hiya Sash, another fascinating story. I find it incredible the way LFC attracts so many people.
I know you said you grew up in Dubai but I love Mumbai. Spent a few very happy years in India. Keep in touch on here mate, it’s nice to converse. All the best to you and your family too mate.
Amazing story, Sash. I love both Mumbai and Kolkota (or Bombay and Calcutta) since I used to travel there for work quite often.
All the best. See you around on TAW pages. Cheers
Hear the Bitters, screaming abuse
When Liverpool win, and Everton lose
Oh, Ev-er-ton
Always screaming abuse
ODEMVIGIE
In the office in Jersey City USA. Notionally working but watching on an IPhone6 via my NBC App. Thought we took their pressure well like Neil’s comment they put 40 into 20 sums it up well. Couldn’t help thinking we deserved a goal from Bobbys chance onwards…waiting …waiting …waiting the thought that League winners always win games like this. Then on comes Daniel a bit of class on a blood and thunder night, not a great shot and Mane had 5 blues in front of him yet he was like lightning and was reeling away all smiles and joy unconfined. As the net rippled a muffled yesssssssssss and the longest two fist shake Jersey City has ever seen along with puzzled looks from the cubicles all around me.
happy happy days, flight back home on Wednesday now roll on Stoke and City #WTRWWAW
Galway Red watching in Edinburgh. Wow.
Escaped work to watch the second half at a hotel bar in the same building as my office in Halifax, Canada. Sitting alone in a corner in front of a big screen with the volume turned up to be heard over the piped-in music, legs involuntarily twitching every time I wanted someone to have a go at goal, or clear a dangerous ball out of our box….Quietly screaming at JK from the 60th minute on to get Sturridge on the pitch, alternating between collapsing in despair in the big chair, or on the edge of the seat, and then practically hit the ceiling when Mané poked his rebound in off the post! Drew a few glances from the non-football savvy folks in the joint, but the staff know me well and offered a few congratulatory nods and winks. YNWA
At home – Abergavenny – with my 11 year old son in ‘the little telly’ because my wife wanted to watch Grey’s Walking Dead or something in the sitting room. After their first half the bluenoses were like walking dead and I kept saying to Joe we were going to win. I had no doubt at all and was calling for Sturridge from about 65. Just quality and class from him to play a one-two off the post for Mane. We both go dancing round the house mental. The look of joy on his face is priceless. Thought Wijnaldum was fantastic yet again, although Joe is still not having it. Thank you Kloppo, thanks you mighty never give up Reds.
In Thane city, near Mumbai, India. Time close to 3:15 am, when it went in, I was fucking ecxtatic. Couldnt roar though, as everyone was sleeping. Up the fighting Reds! :)
Perth, WA, Australia.
Close to 5:45am, there’s 15 to go until the 90 is up. I text my mate ‘would fancy Studge here’, his reply ‘I feel a late goal’.
5:50am; Studge enters, immediately you know he’ll pull us over the line.
5:55am; Cross hits Clyney who gives immediately to Sturridge, past 1, past 2 (they’re shite these) and bang, the slowest shot all day, creeps to goal ‘GET THE FUCK IN’ I yell, closer still, post. Then out of nowhere Mane puts us up, quick that lad.
I may have worked the Mrs up, the dog may have thought we were getting robbed. The neighbours? Fuck the neighbours when we’re playing Everton.
It’s everything we deserve and a great present to their 21st birthday.
Up the early morning Reds
At home with 10yr old son.
Nah not happening dad, but it’s a point away from home.
Taking inspiration from the birth of a child (probably a red) a couple of thousands years ago, keep the faith son, keep the faith
Then the board, wanted 10 got 8, that’ll do. Wini sprays it wide to Clyne, just get it in the box, nah sod that I’ll give it to Studge he’s slightly better in these positions, go on hit it, hit it now, ok now, sublime pea-roller to defy keeper, nooo post, hold it cheetah alert, yesssssssss you beauty – both of us hug & scream enough to wake the street, tough, this is real, this is life in that one moment it can’t get any better….then the tears of joy
Up the memory making reds
Great to win a match like this.
Does anyone know what happened at the final whistle to cause Henderson and apparently Leiva get pissed-off and need to be held back? Seems like there were some after-afters.
Was doing a Chris Rea and driving home for Christmas ….after a 4 hour slog I’d just got onto the M57 when Studge hit his shot in slowmotion and Sadio fastforwarded onto it……thank fuck the motorway was empty because I went across two lanes, screaming like a ghoulie with it’s tits on fire.
Simply
having
a wonderful Injury-time
I’ve been a red since I remember. Not my first memory but certainly my earliest allegiance (even before nationality). I inherited it (as no doubt most do) from a relative, my cousin who I idolised. And as we are from a small village in south Wales I’m sure my fate is the result of good, old fashioned glory support due to Liverpool’s early 80s success. My cousin (the prick), as it happens, now ‘supports’ Chelsea (his father’s later influence I think). But for me, once a red always a red. Anfield is my Mecca.
Tonight I’m at home looking after the little one whilst the wife is out having Christmas drinks. She won’t sleep if the mrs is out so she’s watching pingu on the laptop and I got the first half on the phone. It’s a shocking thing watching a live stream via phone but if you keep it close enough to your face it works OK. Everton are high energy and it seems a while since we’ve played a team with ability. Second half sees a switch in devices and I’m now pushing the laptop on a table around the living room whilst attempting to keep a watchful eye on the tricky toddler.
By 80 minutes we’re on the sofa and I’m half reading a story about elephants or something. I’m anxious at Jurgens lack of change but guess that sturridge won’t achieve anything that Divock isn’t. He makes the change. 8 minutes is held aloft and I’m feeling inspired. That’s too long for their not to be a goal.
Daniel gets the ball and steps left. Where’s he off. Looks like an aimless run. But he’s good. What’s he got. A weak shot? Hang on. Fucking post. Mane. You beauty.
I’m cheering now with my hands up and everything. My daughter looks on confused but excited by the celebration then give me a massive bear hug. she’s 1/8 scouse from her mother anyway.
What a time to be a red!
I was at home, in Liverpool, feeling sick to my stomach, couldn’t settle, pacing the room. I got up to go out of the room for a minute to calm down, but couldn’t bring myself to. Perhaps I need to speak to the neighbour and apologize, the noise I made must have been audible 4 streets away. I’m still buzzing, still can’t settle got a silly grin on my face that won’t go. Brilliant, I loved it, I still love it, I’ll always love it.
Watched this one with my brother-in-law and 1 year old nephew in Woodhaven, Michigan. Sister-in-law asks him to change the baby’s diaper on 84. He asks whether he can wait til this is over; then decides the Reds will likely score if he leaves, so goes to change it. There was no doody in that diaper. And he was back by 90 to watch Mane ping it home! Happy birthday to my nephew…will never forget this one!
Ill in bed, just outside Rome, I watched the match on a dodgy stream on my phone. A thoroughly deserved win! Made up for Studge.
My phone now seems to have some kind of virus from the dodgy streaming. We’re now ill together, but our shared derby experience has given us a beautiful sense of solidarity and that win will, no doubt, help us recover in time to enjoy a RED Christmas.
Do you reckon that Evo goalie has made it down the tunnel yet?
Watched it in the Irish House opposite Central station (big screen, good mix of people) with best mate. Reminiscing pre-match about our first Derby – same one 3-2 1970. Both agreed this was also probably the best ever for that “get the fuck in, hug anyone in reach” when the late winner goes in.
Eight minutes extra, mate says we can fucking win this now, they’re on their knees here. Me, I’m worried that they might be galvanised for a big effort as some teams do, having not seen the ball for the whole 45.
Then another “get the fuck in, hug anyone in reach” moment.
One lad in Everton shirt fronts up at the final whistle. Shakes hands of those who’d been jumping all over him 4 minutes earlier. Fair play.
Texted mate on way home “thank fuck our dads were both reds. Seriously, how many great moments have we shared that we’d have missed if they’d been bitters.”
At home on the Wirral. My watch g the reds on town record has been horrific this season while we’re unbeaten while I’m at the ground or at home.
8 minutes go up and I know it’ll get to Everton. I thought Sturridge had slotted but as it falls to Mane we went berserk. Ooke on in the living room. A quick look incase there’d a flag and carried on going mental! What a moment!
Up off the sofa, it’s in… a load of coordinated in and out celebration fists, a jump towards the ceiling, a double handed slap of the carpet, now the wife’s having a piggy back round the living room before a final Kloppesque fist pump. Oh Mane Mane da da da da da da
British Columbia Canada. Thanks Neil, excellent read. Best piece I’ve read in any match review, caught the moment and the mood perfectly – equal parts ectasy, euphoria, rapture and finally the exhaltation of Mane. Perfectly captured. Again, thank you and thanky ou for the brilliant invitation to Reds everywhere – and aren’t they everywhere in fact. Moved to tears of laughter by many and almost tears of empathy by others who rose from sick beds to answer the Red call. Great great read. As you can guess – the euphoria lives on.
In case anyone is interested, and because of my fascination with all things geographical, I’ve done a quick tally chart of the responses on here of where people watched the game, roughly working from east to west.
Australia 5, Hong Kong 1, Cambodia 1, Singapore 1, India 2, UAE 2, Zimbabwe 1, Italy 1, England 8, Scotland 2, Wales 2, Dublin 2, Canada 2, US east coast 8, US west coast 1
Disappointing figures from the European mainland and Africa.
Well done. I am sure loads in Germany watched the match though. And the bros from Africa usually seem to follow/comment on the ESPN Soccernet.
On a related but different topic, I have just completed official LFC club survey… I would encourage fellow Reds to participate….it’s opened till Thursday. There are interesting topics such as channel of communication, ticket price, club reaching out to the younger fans etc.
I’m also in Los Angeles. At 87′, the building fire alarms started blaring loudly with the announcement for everyone to exit the building (I later realized this was a metaphor for the alarms which must have been ringing at that point for the Evertonians when the fresh legs arrived, and foreshadowing, for the fire that would be launched onto the pitch 8 minutes later). There was no way I was leaving without being physically pulled out, and that’s exactly what other people did. But not before I launched my NBC app so I could continue to watch on my phone. I walked down the stairs and across to a restaurant, watching my phone all the time. I was up to order at 93′. Here was how the order-taker heard my order: “and i’ll have the tuna sandwich with a salad on the FUCKING GET IN”. I ate very little of my lunch.
I took the afternoon off to watch the match with a bunch of other Liverpool Supporters at our local pub here in Houston, Texas. Didn’t think I was going to get work off until my boss asked why it was such a big deal…I showed him a google earth image of Stanley Park and being a sports fan himself he immediately said, “get outta here, Merry Christmas” I got to the pub in the 4th minute Early on people were still answering work calls on their cell phones, by the 75th minute we were all on the ale in rapt attention staring at the screens. Every missed chance was met with cries of anguish and hands on heads. Then came the shot off the post and the delirium that ensued. People jumping around hugging, high fives and celebratory pints…it was awesome! What a night, what a match, what a win!! as Clark Griswold once said in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation “Marry Christmas, holy shit!”
Ok so representing the Scandinavians, watching the game in the Irish pub “dubliner” right in the centre of Stockholm, Sweden. The pub inhabits at least one scouse in exile and perhaps 200 Reds fans, mostly Swedes but possibly a dozen other nationalities aswell. The collective outpouring of relief, happiness and raw Angst was beautiful to be part of.
Couldn’t watch it live, so I tried to watch it around 4:00 in the morning while everyone slept. Couldn’t make it past half-time, especially with an alarm set for 5:45. Had to watch part of it on my lunch break – still no joy, only attempts to reassure myself that our quality would win the day. Had to get back to work with another 15 minutes to go. Finally watched the end after work from the computer in my classroom where I teach 30 ten-year-olds (mostly Muslim kids in a frightening new Trump reality). Sat watching it exhausted from having been up in the wee hours. That is, until the goal went in. At which point I ran back and forth between the empty desks, dancing around like a complete fool. If only my kids could have seen their teacher…
Mané puts the ball in, and I’m up of the couch, both feet off the ground arms in the air.
I fall back on the couch and start to laugh, uncontrollable laughing. Never celebrated like that before.
The Mrs asks what’s with the laughing, it’s this, is there a better way to win the Goodison derby than a 94th minute winner, yes, when that said winner trickles slowly towards goal, back off the post and to a red and no blue defender can react quicker than Mané (or Firmino the other way for that matter) 94 minutes and he is alive to that, what a man!!
I laughed at how much fume a goal like that would cause.
In work on a cackling Radio Merseyside signal.
Had a blue opposite me doing the same all match. 8 minutes goes up, he says what I’m quietly thinking….”youse are gonna score here, I know it”.
It hit me that we really, really do have their mark. They’re terrified of us and it’s fucking beautiful to witness,the poor bastards.
All I hear is “off the post” before it went off for a second or two haha. Fuck me, I could just tell by the commentators voice we’d scored, just didn’t know who. I’d said on the ratings thread I my vocal cords were tender all night until morning. I don’t think I’ve ever let off a “fucking get in” off so loud in my life. Me and my work mate (Red) next to me hugging like loons while work still carries on around us.
As great as it all was, I’d also like to point out how great it is to have an attitude as supporters that 8 minutes can go up on the board,and after a 2nd half of frustration we all know what’s coming. Talk about progress.
As someone commented before; thank fuck my dad was a Red. Sometimes, and I really don’t know why, their hatred and vitriol surprises me. Then it’s times like this it hits home. It’s a truly miserable, soul destroying existence being an Evertonian.
Funny thing is I could swear I hate them more than probably 90% of them do the other way around. I just choose not to constantly go on about it, it’s not a badge of pride and honour to me. I prefer to worry about what trophy(ies) we’re going to win this season instead, rather than the colour of Jurgen’s christmas tree decorations.
At home in Sydney with my two boys…
Late for work but stood up waiting for the full time whistle… then pandemonium as we’re jumping around the room… missus hasn’t a clue what’s just happened… just like Everton !
WTRWWAW
The game was on at 3pm local time here in Toronto. I usually stream on my phone in the office, but this one was too big. Needed to watch it properly. Decided I would wait till I got home and watch it in its entirety, provided I could keep from hearing the score.
Told my mate who works on my floor not to say a word. Told the people on my team who follow the footy not to say a word. Entire media shutout until I got home was the only way. Heard about that attack in Germany, first reaction was to check sky news. Nope. They will show the score there. Russian minister stabbed in Turkey. Nope. Can’t risk it.
Finished work and had to go pick up a final few Xmas gifts. Had to be done. Took longer than expected. Walking downtown Toronto in the snow with a windchill of -20 degrees. Must not check phone. Every mate that text me was told immediately not to say a word. Ended up meeting a mate and grabbing some food and a pint. Told him not to say a word.
Shopping took longer than expected. Didn’t get home till 10pm. Somehow managed 7 hours of not hearing the score. Walked into my flat. Shit. My roommate. Immediately screamed “don’t tell me the score” and fair play to him he didn’t. Finally got to sit down and watch it.
I’ve just moved into a new flat this past weekend. Come around 12 midnight Mane scores and I jump around the gaff screaming at the top of my voice like a lunatic. Fucking yes lads, have some of that. An epic journey and an introduction to all my new neighbours that they will surely never forget. Who is that screaming maniac that just moved into the building.
Is right.
I watched it on my phone in a rented beach house in Sri Lanka because the bastard property manager had let me down about getting Star Sports on. Intermittent wifi meant I would miss chunks of the game but the gods were smiling when the wifi returned in the 91 st minute, I had no idea how much injury time had been allotted . Cue much muffled screeching trying not to wake my girlfriend up when the ball in super slow mo (to me anyway) crossed the line at about 3 25 am. I have a tradition where I never have a beer during the game till we score, loads before and after but never before till we score. I waited nearly two hours for that Lion beer, well worth the wait. Up the Mighty Reds. Ps anybody in the Tangalle area know where I can watch the Stoke game?
Our whole Eastern Kolkata neighborhood was so silent at 3:40 AM, I even surprised myself when I let out that scream after it seem like Mané is going to get their first! What a night, what a season it’s going to be!