Rafa’s Reds Come Unstuck Against Toffees….

By: Wayne Farry | January 19th, 2009

After what must have been a heartbreaking weekend for Liverpool, even before tonight’s game, things have got a whole lot worse for Rafa’s Reds! Heading into the last 10 minutes of all the Big Four’s games this weekend things looked good for Liverpool. Man Utd were being held by Bolton 0-0. Chelsea were losing 0-1 to Stoke and Arsenal were drawing 1-1 with Hull at the KC. Liverpool themselves were 1-0 with 10 minutes left in tonight’s game!

In a way, things began to fall apart for Liverpool this weekend when Berbatov scored United’s winner at Bolton in the 90th minute. They must have prayed that Bolton would hold United and for a while it looked very likely. Then at Stamford Bridge, Juliano Belletti slotted home Chelsea’s equalizer in stoppage time. That would have been fine for ‘Pool, but then Lampard had to step up and score off Ballack’s legs to get the 3 points. On Saturday evening, Hull and Arsenal were locked at 1-1 after 80 minutes and although Arsenal look out of the title race, Liverpool would have been happy. Then Nasri and Bendtner pop up to win it 1-3!

All those results would have been irrelevant had Liverpool got the 3 points tonight. Everton started well with Anichebe forcing a save from Reina early on with a lovely shot. Liverpool came into the game however and began to pull the strings. Kuyt had a shot blocked by Baines and Torres nicked the side of the post when one-on-one with Howard. Liverpool took the lead in the 68th minute from none other than Stevie G/Captain Fantastic/Mr. Hollywood/Jailbird Gerrard! With just 22 minutes left, Gerrard took a pass from Riera and slotted a coolly-placed shot past Howard which drove the Kop fucking mental.

If Liverpool thought they’d won the match, then shame on them. This weekend, like many in the EPL has taught us that late goals are commonplace, and can often carry massive ramifications. This one just might. On the 87th minute, Arteta took a free-kick and swung it into box. Everton’s makeshift striker Tim Cahill marauded across the box, evading ‘Pool’s defenders and glanced the ball past Reina, sending the Kop fucking mental, but presumably a different kind of mental.

This draw leaves Liverpool level on points with Man Utd but with a worse goal difference and with one more game played.

Advantage United? Looks like it.