History Not Made

Arguably the greatest game in world football was supposed to bring a sense of accomplished history to the game. The truth though is that history was not made. Not even close. This was supposed to be the game where both sets of teams and supporters put the incidents of the 15th October 2011 to rest. The reality was much different. After the now famous game on the 15th October where both teams played out for a 1-1 draw, the talking point was not about the football that had been played. Instead the accusations that Liverpool player Luis Suarez racially abused Patrics Evra over shadowed the game. As we know, Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Evra and was handed down an eight game ban. This meant Suarez was still banned for the game between Liverpool and Man Utd at Anfield last Saturday.

All eyes were on both sets of fans and players.

Before the FA Cup clash on the 28th January, there was a lot of hype after the incident between the two clubs. However, before the game both clubs acted extremely professionally and both managers called for calm amongst their respective supporters. In fact before Saturday's game, Anfield's stadium announcer warned fans against racist and homophobic behaviour. The fact that Suarez wasn't playing would have been another helpful factor in hoping for a peaceful match. Evra was chosen as captain for the game as Sir Alex Ferguson sent a statement of his intent, and also showed his faith in his left-back ahead of the match. Games between Utd and Liverpool are always passionate and tough affairs, and this one was to be no different. Both sets of fans packed into the ground with seemingly little trouble between the two sets of fans. 

The game itself was a tight affair, but was full of absorbing football. Utd hit the post early on after a mazy run  by Antonio Valencia, but it was Liverpool that broke the deadline. A corner in front of the away fans was beautifully delivered by Steven Gerrard into a melee of players, with Andy Carroll being the main instigator. Utd keeper David de Gea came to get the ball, but in truth he got no where near it. Instead Liverpool centre back Daniel Agger had the easiest of head ins from six yards. 

After that it was all Utd, as they pressed and harried for an equaliser. Having had almost twenty minutes of constant pressure, Utd's effort finally came off six minutes before half time. After some great work by Rafael done the right flank, and some equally poor defending by Jose Enrique, Rafael pulled the back to a free Park Ji Sung who riffled the ball into the back of the net.

Kuyt nets the winner in the FA Cup clash last Saturday.

With the scores level at the start of the second half, Martin Skrtel had to divert Danny Welbeck's effort with the goal gaping in front of him. Liverpool's chance of winning the game seemed to be reliant on de Gea making another mistake. The young Spaniard made a hash of a few more routine saves giving the Liverpool team a lot of confidence, whilst at the same time sapping confidence from his defenders. With time running out, Pepe Reina went route one up the field where he found the head of Andy Carroll who flicked on to Dirk Kuyt, who buried the ball past de Gea and gave Liverpool a famous win. Dalglish and the Liverpool fans and players were left to celebrate progression in the cup, whilst Ferguson and Utd were left wondering how they didn't come away with anything.

Evra was subjected to constant booing throughout the game.

The game and result were a credit to football and certainly both sets of players handled themselves professionally as the rest of the footballing world watched on. But the game wasn't without incident. Patrice Evra was constantly jeered and booed throughout the game. It was hoped that this wouldn't be the case. After the game Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said that it was great to see a 'bit of banter' between the two sets of fans. Banter yes, but constant booing of Evra was unacceptable and completely unnecessary. It also came to light that a fan had been arrested after an alleged racist gesture was made during the game. In fact seventeen people were ejected from the stadium during the game and a further two men were arrested, but the reason for their arrests were not given.

This all served to highlight that problems in football do exist, and there are still trouble makers who are tarnishing the reputation of football. Obviously the Suarez incident has brought this to light, but the FA, UEFA, and FIFA have a lot of work to do to stamp out footballs ongoing problems. Racism, homophobia, sectarianism, and general abuse should not be tolerated at football games. It is absolutely unnecessary for these things to take place, as it spoils the beautiful game of football. The FA has set a precedence with the eight game ban of Suarez, and fans have received life time bans for their inappropriate actions, but more is still needed if these problems are to be rooted out of the game. Time will tell how serious footballs governing bodies are about tackling these issues. By know means is the Evra-Suarez an isolated incident, but hopefully it will have served as a spark to bring about action at the very top of the footballing hierarchy. 

History in the Making?

Suarez and Evra exchange words

As Man Utd and Liverpool face off once again for a place in the FA Cup 5th round, there is more at stake than usual. There has always been a fierce rivalry between the two giants of English football and this game should be no exception. Both teams would be going full guns regardless of any recent history. But that's where this one provides an extra edge. After the game between the two teams on October 15th 2011 there was a lot of bad blood between the two teams. Patrice Evra accused Luis Suarez of racist abuse which sparked off a huge debate among everyone involved in football. Were these accusations true, and if so what would be the repercussions of the decision? As we know Suarez was found guilty and was given an eight match ban, which means he will miss tomorrows game against Utd.

Liverpool players wearing t-shirts
supporting Luis Suarez

The story doesn't end there. Liverpool FC decided that they were going to stand by their man through it all. Very noble on the outset and a confidence booster for the player who had clearly made a big mistake. However, it was the way Liverpool FC went about supporting their player that caused much grievance among many people in football. Liverpool FC decided they would support Suarez by wearing t-shirts which had the player on the front and his name and number on the back. Many saw this as a PR stunt gone wrong and many condemned Liverpool FC for their behaviour towards this sensitive situation. In hindsight, Liverpool FC should not have so publicly supported their player when he knew he was in the wrong. Yes the ban handed down to him was harsh, but if the FA is serious about clamping out racism, then this is a good indicator of just how serious these incidents will be taken. Liverpool have consequently missed Suarez since he has been out. Their lack of finishing in the league has led to far too many draws at home. The lack of a clinical finisher in the Liverpool team may prove to be one of the decisive factors in the game tomorrow. Despite Suarez's ban however, Liverpool have made it through to the Carling Cup Final. The final will be Liverpool's first trip to the new Wembley and they will start as firm favourites against Championship side Cardiff City. That is all to come at the end of February, but back to the end of January. Tomorrow's game now has the added dimension of how the two teams will react to each other since this now famous incident that took place back in October.

Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club.

This game is now more than just an FA Cup tie, and with all eyes on Anfield, both teams behaviour and conduct will be heavily scrutinised. Patrice Evra is likely to play and the reception he receives will speak volumes of how far football has come in the last twenty years. Liverpool fans must be the example to the rest of the footballing community through their response to the two sets of players. Yes there is rivalry between the two teams, and yes things may get heated, but we never want a repeat of the scenes from last October. The result of course will be massive to both teams, and both teams will give their all, but at the end of the day the result will not be the important outcome. Football needs its respect regained. Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish have both called for calm and respect during the game, and hopefully their plea will be heard come Saturday lunchtime.

Welbeck scores a late winner at
Arsenal last weekend.

As for the game itself, well Liverpool come into the game on the back of their semi-final defeat of Man City and so will be high on confidence. Their league performances have been inconsistent at best this season, but Liverpool have shone in the cup competitions. Liverpool are also undefeated at home so far this season and so will put up a stern test for Sir Alex Ferguson's team. Utd on the other hand come into the game on the back of a great result at the Emirates last Sunday. Utd didn't play with the same style that saw them obliterate Arsenal at the start of the season, but Arsenal are not the same team as back then. In fact they have been one of the form teams in the league, and so to pick up three points away from home was a huge result for Utd. Of course Utd's main aim this season is to dismantle local neighbours Man City from the top of the league. But with no European distractions for the rest of this season, Utd will see the FA Cup as a prize worth pursuing. And with a game against their biggest rivals, this has the makings of a classic.

Dirk Kuyt scored at hat-trick in the
league game at Anfield last season.

It is just over a year since Utd defeated Liverpool in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford. This was the first game under Kenny Dalglish's second stint as manager of Liverpool. The game was a tight affair and was settled by a Ryan Giggs second minute penalty. Liverpool played most of the game with ten men after Steven Gerrard had been sent off  in the first half, but Utd were too strong and ran out comfortable winners. Since then, Liverpool have beaten and drawn with Utd at Anfield, so tomorrows game should be a close one.

I think on such an occasion and with so much at stake, not just the result, the most likely outcome will be a draw. Both teams are capable of scoring so I think it will end 1-1. If Liverpool are to win then they will need to take their chances, otherwise it could be a one sided game. Saying that, it should be an entertaining affair and anything can happen in cup football.