What a day! Is there ANYTHING better in the world than sitting on the Kop, singing YNWA and watching the Reds beat the Toffees 4-1???
We were up at the crack of dawn today as we needed to be at Euston for the express to Lime Street well before 8am. Unfortunately we'd been given the wrong info about when breakfast started so we had to make a run for the station and eat there instead. Not a major drama but annoying (and we more of less paid twice for a meal).
The trip up to Liverpool was a breeze. The train was half full of Scousers on the way to the game, us included. The express train itself is great - 2 hours to do roughly 200 miles - and much quiter and more comfortable than anything we have in Australia. You really feel like you're flying. We spent most of the trip looking at the countryside going past, playing spot the canal boat.
On arrivial we were wandering about looking for directions to the bus stop when we found a machine that sold maps for a pound. While we were hunting for change someone offered very kindly to pay for us. We recognised the accent and met out first fellow Sydneysiders of the day. The poor buggers were (for some mad reason) on their way to Manchester to buy Scum shirts for friends, having been convinced that would make them "genuine". Despite my best efforts they went off to complete their errand. They only had two days in the UK and were spending one of them travelling to and from Mancland. MADNESS.
Directions finally sorted we got aboard a No 17 and headed for Anfield. I was getting more excited by the minute. The bus was full of fans all kitted out and we were all talking. The was a young lad behind us going to Anfield for his first visit too, just like our kids. Jenni was laughing at the accents (as usual) before I pointed out that techincally WE were the ones with funny accents being the only ones "talking like a fruit". Before we knew it we were THERE. Anfield at last. Halfway round the world and I felt like I'd arrived *home*.
We made a run for the club shop knowing it would get crowded the closer we got to kick-off. Each of us got shirts, James and I getting ours with all the extras (Gerrard 8 for James and Carra 23, *just* Carra, for me). I also picked up a few bits of Carra Testimonial gear and match programmes. Outside again after the crush we also grabbed a new scraf each from a street vendor, the girls in pink of all things. One last stop for a portion of chips to complete the pre-game formalities and we were ready.
As soon as the gates opened we headed inside. On the way in we saw quite possibly the best fan-focused invention in sports since football was itself invented – the *mobile beer vendor* with *beer backpack*. I sh1t you not! Bugger the icecream, these jokers wander about selling the good stuff right off their back. Check out the (rather blurry) photo.
Our seats were in the lower half of the Kop so were were sitting down almost before we knew it. You could feel that atmosphere building by the minute. We took plenty of pics of ourselves, the crowd and the players warming up. As Jenni was taking a pic of the kids and I a steward stuck his head in the photo. It was a great laugh but unfortunately James blinked when Jen took it.
There was a quick presentation for some local lads, supported by both clubs, who had achieved a world record for 5-a-side back in March. Guiness had just officially recognised the record – 31 hours straight with a final score of Everton 499 – 699 Liverpool. A sound thrashing by any reckoning.
By the time we were singing YNWA I was about ready to pass out with excitement and all choked up. We'd had the big flag go overhead and had been cheering all the players, past and present as they warmed up. The full squad for Liverpool was as follows: Jerzy Dudek, Stephen Wright, Steve Finnan, Stephen Warnock, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Emile Heskey, Michael Owen, Luis Garcia, Jamie Carragher, Jay Spearing, Brad Jones, Paul Konchesky, Ryan Babel, Jonjo Shelvey, Andre Wisdom, Nathan Eccleston, Daniel Ayala, Gary McAllister, Suso, Raheem Sterling, Conor Coady, David Thompson, Jason McAteer. Some blokes in blue turned up to make up the numbers. Meh.
When the whistle blew for KO the roar was amazing. We were hardly in our seats before Garcia had collected a cross-field pass from Heskey on the edge of the box, turned inside and banged it in the opposite top corner. The Kop went ballistic, Luis did his signature celebration and we were 1-0 up with 1:20 on the clock. Not long after Gerrard went off on 11 minutes having played a full 90 for England the night before. Murphy replaced him to a standing ovation for both players.
Everton had the odd moment but hardly threatened. We were pressing and on 44 minutes Owen's goal-bound shot was blocked by a Bluenose hand. Penalty to the Redmen and up stepped Mo. Before he could take it he was shouted down with the whole ground yelling for Carra to step up. He finished like a man on a mission, low and hard into the bottom corner and the roar went up. 2-0 at HT and cruising.
Back for the second half and the Reds continued to press. The match had settled into a pattern now as subs came and went. The Reds dominated and Cole belted in a great finish at the Kop end right in front of us from a wicked Babel cross. 3-0 up and looking like the job was done. Time for a quick Fields of Anfield Road and some more Carra lyrics too.
Not long after and the Reds conceded a penatly of there own. We're all wondering what had happend as it looked dodgy to say the least. Yakubu started his run up but before he got close Carra blazed past and knocked it in – 3-1 to the Red men and Carra had scored twice, once for each side. This was the cue for him to go off, the whole ground on their feet singing We All Dream of a Team of Carraghers.
Cole also went off and Everton stepped up the pace at last, forcing 3 great saves from Aussie Brad Jones who had replaced the Pole in Goal. Gary Mac and Jason Macateer came on with some comedy as Jason made sure Gary Mac's shirt was pulled down over his belly. We're all singing the Gary Mac song "He's got no hair and we don't care" and having a great time. Every single time for the next 30 minutes that Gary Mac touched the ball the crowd yelled "SHOOT", all of us remembering the 40 yarder in the derby the year we won the treble. We even did it when he was in our half facing our own goal ;-)
Some of the younger lads were playing a cracker, obviously using the opportunity to push for a starting berth in more competitive games. Ayala was playing really well in central defence and Ecclestone was causing headaches for the Toffees defence up front. His efforts were rewarded when he got our fourth and put it beyond doubt.
That's how it finished, the Reds scoring all five in a 4-1 win. Carra came back out to say thanks and we were done. Great fun all round and a fantastic afternoon of footy, all in a good cause and for a true hero and gentleman.
On the way out we met our second set of Sydneysiders. Half of Liverpool was Aussies on holidays today by the look of it. We had a quick chat about Sydney FC as they were also Blues fans. Once again we lined up for a No 17 back to Lime Street. On the way back we passed a 96 Foundation "office" where they continue to fight for justice. The rest of the trip back to the station was pretty uneventful apart from Jenni nearly losing me in the concourse. She's used to me being the only one in a red shirt and now there were tens of thousands of us ;-)
We grabbed some food, scarfed it down and got onto the train. Sitting there waiting, the relative peace was disturbed by a group of people on the station platform and inside the train all talking at the top of their voices. Outside, being mobbed, was Roy Hodgson (Liverpool manager to you plebians who don't know any better) getting onto the same train. Someone commented we're obviously not paying him enough if he has to get trains! I was tempted to scam a photo with him but he was already past and probably sick of being hounded by fans anyway.
The rest of the trip home was quiet, the Red Express full of happy fans all enjoying the ride and thinking about the day. Back in the hotel around 8:30pm and the day was done. At 40 years of age I've had plenty of fun and games but today ranks right up there in my top 3 or 4 days of all time. I suspect I'll be a bit down tomorrow as its all over but better that by far than the alternative.
YNWA,
Millsy
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