I was in the Kop the day of this game. Everton effectively clinched the title with this win. Having watched the Blues throughout the 60s this was the great team of 1967-70 reaching its peak. As for whatever reason they lacked the killer punch in 70-71 in their European Cup quarter final, and the FA Cup semi final against the Reds that in my view destroyed the team, and the sad seasons in 71-72, 72-73 when new players like John Connelly. Joe Harper and John ( Tiger ) Mc Laughlin struggled to make an impact Liverpool made huge changes to the 1970 team after a shock defeat in the FA Cup at Watford. And went on to dominate the 70s While the blues waited for this team to rediscover its form. that never emerged. Kendall's great team 84-87 was in my view its best ever. as it won trophy's on all fronts with key match winners like Neville Southall, Peter Reid, Andy Gray and Kevin Sheedy to name a few
A pitch like a ploughed field, not a rainbow flag or bowed knee in sight, no shirt sponsors, no narcissistic first names on the back of the shirts (no surnames either, obv.), no squad numbers, no fancy goal celebrations... It was a different game, for a different time.
What the hell is proper football. Yes the play acting and cheating is disgusting. But now most teams play thankfully a possesion based game waitng for an opportunity to arise and not just thumping the ball up the pitch hoping a team mate wiil get the ball
An iconic match this as it was probably the last time Everton visited Anfield with a wider public perception of them being [marginally] the bigger club. The gap between the teams had been big before WWII, despite Liverpool's title wins of the Edwardian era and the 20s. They lived very much in Everton's shadow even after winning the league in '47 and Everton's relegation in 1950. In the 60s Liverpool closed the gap on the field but still trailed in perception. Much like City to United today. 1971 was the turning point when Liverpool came from 2-0 down to win the derby/
It started with Shankly. Promotion followed by The title, cup, title sequence from 62 to 65 meant we gradually turned it around. Then when Shankly retired we were firmly the bigger club to the public.
In 1970/71, Liverpool also came from behind to beat Everton in the FA cup semifinal. However, Liverpool only became that title machine under Bob Paisley in the second half of the Seventies. Everton still could turn their fortunes around but their bid for 1975 League title was unsuccessful, even though they were close. But with tv popularisation of the game Liverpool definitely got a much bigger club and following. By 1980 already, the gap between the clubs was huge and even solid success under Kendall couldn´t change that. Outside England, in Scandinavia in particular, there are like 20 Liverpool fans to one (at best) Everton fan.
We did well in the mid 80s of course, but by then Liverpool already had 4 European Cups and countless league titles to rub our noses in. Perhaps if we'd beaten Carlisle United home and away (instead of losing both games) in 74/75 things may have been different because we would likely have won the league. That was their only season in the top flight. Funny old game. I agree that 71 was the point at which we let Liverpool get away from us and sadly we've been in their lengthening shadow ever since.
Everybody has a dig at how bad the pitches were but there was far more snow than, and far more games. They never got a chance to dry out. This is March, but look at a game in August and you could see what could be achieved. When your a grounds man like me; it breaks your heart when you see pitches like these!
FWIW, even with the extra moisture and wear, modern groundskeeping techniques could have easily kept that turf in shape... But these techniques weren't known 50 years ago and even if they were, club ownership of the era would have been reluctant to invest in it
And Everton didn't win again at Anfield until a Graham Sharp winner in 1984, then won there the following season with goals from Ratcliffe and Lineker.
They're playing tonight but the game isn't what it was then. If the fans here were taken 53 years forward in a time machine they would not be happy at they they found and how the game has changed. But I guess that happening gradually it's indoctrinated into us to see as the norm and kids are brought up knowing no different. The Everton team here, for example, was filled with locals and home grown lads, all either from Liverpool or north of Liverpool or thereabouts, not even a southerner or Midlander in their ranks. It felt like a LOCAL DERBY. Not anymore, well not in the true sense of the meaning.
