Liverpool/ Everton: Has the ‘friendly derby’ become more hostile than ever?
Can we expect ill feeling and naughty words at Anfield tonight?
Back in the days before Sky Sports, £1,000 season tickets and barmy Spanish managers, the Liverpool/ Everton derby was a gentle affair that earned itself the moniker ‘The Friendly Derby’. As so many families consisted of supporters of both teams, segregation was not deemed necessary, and none of the vitriol present between, say, Arsenal and Tottenham could be detected.
These days, however, there is a helluva more tension between the sides: Rafa Benitez caused a big kerfuffle by calling The Toffees a ‘small side’ in 2007, and the vile chants directed at Steven Gerrard, Phil Neville and their respective families in recent matches should not be wished upon anybody.
So, when did the tide turn on the Merseyside derby? Was it Evertonian bitterness over the Heysel disaster that kept English clubs in the European wilderness, or is it simply a change in the climate of the game that has created the animosity between all teams? Recent chants at Sol Campbell and Cristiano Ronaldo would certainly support the latter theory, but if you have any thoughts please let them be known below…
6 responses so far
Ronald Cristian // January 19, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I think the arrogance of the Liverpool supporters, in thinking they are the “bigger and better” side, must offend many a bluenose…I think Everton is the club with real supporters, and the most history….Liverpool are a fly by night club with no history whatsoever…
scouser // January 19, 2009 at 4:54 pm
liverpool have no history???? hahahahahahaha!
you obviously arent a football fan, we have the best football history in this country you idiot, 18 league titles and 5 european cups alone, thats no history? real supporters take 40,000 fans plus into a european cup final when they get given 15,000 tickets. dont ever comment on football about you will only embarass yourself again
Joffo // January 19, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Did you stop to check out the guys name Ronald Cristian??? do you think it was a wind up??????
Doh!!!!!!!!
Red To The End // January 20, 2009 at 9:28 am
lol… the manc…
Ronald Cristian // January 21, 2009 at 9:39 am
@ Scouser.
I know more about football than you will ever know. You are a heartless club, with soulless fans.
Sorry but if you can face the truth, then dont comment.
Casey // January 23, 2009 at 2:50 pm
the bitter and twisted hatred comes directly fom Evertonians, and is fully backed by there chairman and owner bill kenwright, every home game at castle doom! “we don’t care what the red side say” is blasted over the tanoy at least three times, even when the toffees go off at half time, and its done to pravoke mass hatred.
Leave a comment