Match ticket £46
Train £18-15
Tea £1-95
Bus to Anfield £4
Tea £2
Toilet 30p
Total £72-40
Finally Liverpool had a midday home kick-off! After a string of endless 5:30 Saturday and 4PM Sunday kick-offs, it was a nice change to have an early match to go to. Although this meant an early start in Sheffield and the 8:40 train, it also meant that we would get home at a reasonable time (and in time for tea!).
Everton were today's opposition, in what was a key Merseyside Derby. As mentioned in my previous blog, Anfield now towers over Goodison, and the gap between the two sides is widening once more. There was a period in 2013/14 when Everton looked destined for a Champions League place, but now they would just be happy to get into the Europa League.
The start of the match was marked by tributes to the legendary Ronnie Moran ('Bugsy'), with seat signs in the Kop marking out his nickname. The number of trophies and years read across the tannoy was incredible, and just illustrates the historical size of this club.
Today's Liverpool could be going places if they can close out this season. As against Arsenal they started superbly, taking the lead through Mane after a one-two with Firmino. They huffed and puffed, but couldn't blow the Toffees' door down a second time. Everton looked handy on the break and I was particularly impressed with the young Tom Davies - pacey, able to turn quickly and with an eye for a pass. Meanwhile, Ross Barkley (supposedly the great white hope of English football) was having a shocker, fouling at almost every opportunity and unable to put together more than a couple of passes. But, with this being Liverpool, there is always an opening, and Pennington took full advantage when a simple corner wasn't dealt with by Liverpool's back line. The fans were deflated. But within a couple of minutes, the home side took the lead again when Coutinho's effort flew into the top corner.
The second period saw Liverpool further stretch the away side, who looked tired and devoid of ideas. So it was no surprise when Origi made it 3-1 on 60 minutes to confirm Liverpool's dominance, and take the edge off a slightly nervous Anfield crowd. This was another excellent performance, and if they can keep getting results in their final few games, they should be on the way to the Champions League for the first time since 2014.
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