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ECHO feature writer and Kop season ticket holder Tony Barrett....

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The Big One

Posted by Tony Barrett on October 19, 2007 9:26 AM | 

Anyone Merseyside football fan who claims the derby is not the biggest game of the season is either (a) lying (b) stupid or (c) taking the p**s.
There is nothing like it. Never mind your Man Uniteds, your Chelseas and your Arsenals, if you are a Liverpool fan then the game you look out for is the one that pits us against our bitter rivals from the wrong side of Stanley Park.
There may be those who try to kid themselves that United is the biggest game of the season but that is as wrong as David Moyes' fashion sense.
Think of your biggest highs and lows in the Premiership over the last decade and the likelihood is that it is moments from derby games that top your charts.

For me, my greatest moment of ecstasy came when Gary Mac beat Paul Gerrard from about 15 miles out to win the derby in the sweetest possible fashion. A last minute winner has never felt so good.
And my worst came last season when Everton defied 90 years of history to record a 3-0 win which left me feeling like I'd been kicked in the b******s by Jonny Wilkinson.
The fact is the derby gives you your highest highs and your lowest lows and that's what makes it such a nerve wracking and horribly wonderful experience.
I fancy us to win tomorrow but then I always do.
I can't be doing with all that crying it in nonsense which some fans come out with in the build up to these games - if you can't back your team when the derby comes around you shouldn't bother backing them at all.
If Steven Gerrard performs like we know he can then Liverpool will win, it is as simple as that.
His form over recent weeks has been nothing short of abysmal but where better than Goodison Park to rediscover his very best form?
No doubt he'll come in for all the usual stick but he has to rise above it and do his talking on the pitch.
The derby is the perfect platform for players like Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to show what it means to be a Liverpool player. Local pride and bragging rights are at stake so it is up to the local lads to lead from the front.
A win would not only reignite our stuttering title challenge it would also halt Bill Kenwright's DVD production line for another year.
So come on Red men, let's show our friends from across the park who Merseyside's big boys really are.

Comments (7)

Jimmy Grant wrote...

I always back the reds. I will admit though, i'm not as confident as i usually am. Dont get me wrong im not being negative, but the way we've looked recently, lets hope that is a thing of the past. This game here really could kick-start our season again. The derby is never easy, and a win there would give all the lads the confidence boost thats needed!!!
I also have a feeling that a few people will be surprised with the starting 11 come 12:45 tomorrow.
Come on redmen......Show these f***ers what a BIG CLUB is!!!

Posted by: Jimmy Grant  | October 19, 2007 10:09 AM

Towen wrote...

jimmy, everton IS a club, but it's the REALLY big clubs that win league titles on a regular basis - not the occasional knock out competition.

Posted by: Towen  | October 19, 2007 12:19 PM

pikester wrote...

Terry - eight knockout trophies (three league cups, three FA, one UEFA, one Champions League) since we last won the league in 1990. ten if you count the Super Cups. On average, that's one trophy every two seasons, which most people would calculate as frequent rather than occasional. But I catch your drift.

Posted by: pikester  | October 19, 2007 2:04 PM

Jimmy Grant wrote...

Towen,

Im my opinion Big clubs dont go 12 years without winning anything. Maybe you USED to be a big club?

Posted by: Jimmy Grant  | October 19, 2007 4:18 PM

BROCK wrote...

I think he meant occasional as in 1 in 12 years!

Posted by: BROCK  | October 19, 2007 6:11 PM

Michael Gillespie wrote...

Is right Tony. But to be honest it's not just the derby that we need to be behind the reds, it's every game. From first whistle to last. None of this booing that supposedly has crept in lately. Anyone who boos or jeers is not a true fan, and does not deserve to be at a Liverpool FC match. FACT.

Posted by: Michael Gillespie  | October 19, 2007 8:24 PM

andy johnson look-alike winner wrote...

take your red blinkers off

Posted by: andy johnson look-alike winner  | October 21, 2007 1:15 AM

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