Derby Day Blues For Daglish

Dirk Kuyt's Equalising Penalty 

Kenny Daglish made his Anfield return in dramatic fashion yesterday, as his side earned a vital point, playing out a pulsating 2-2 draw with fierce neighbours Everton. 


The game was all set up for a fairytale return for the 'King' as the home side dominated first half proceedings only for a frantic second half to diminish the red's chances of victory.


However, it was Everton who took to the occasion and looked dangerous in the early exchanges with neat passing interchanges. 


Liverpool, who were without Captain Steven Gerrard and influential defender Jamie Carragher, relied on the talents of their out of form forward Fernando Torres, who appeared to be in the kind of mood that has brought him 63 goals in 99 Premier League games. 


It did not take long for the Spaniard to make his mark on the game with a typical piece of Torres brilliance. 


In the 16th minute he intelligently anticipated the bouncing ball to race past defender Sylvain Distin and sharply twist past his defensive partner John Heintinga, only to see his rasping shot crash against the post. 


Daglish's side had a firm grip on the game and didn't appear to be the same team that has had a turbulent season.


Eventually, they made their pressure count as Raul Meireles smashed home from just inside the box to send the Anfield crowd into raptures. 


Eyebrows have been raised recently at the Manager's decision to play Glen Johnson out of position, however, his decision to play the England International left back was proved correct as he played a vital hand in the goal.


After cutting inside he played an accurate ball to the far post which was met brilliantly by the head of Dirk Kuyt but his effort rebounded off keeper Tim Howard, who quickly rose to his feet to save the Dutchman's follow up.


Howard must have thought his work done, only for the ball to drop on the edge of the box to Meireles, who gracefully powered the ball into the back of the net with a swerving effort. 


Meireles was having one of his best games in a red shirt and could of grabbed a second if it were not for the out stretched finger tips of Howard minutes later. 


Half-time sharply arrived and not only brought a change in personal, with the ill Daniel Agger being replaced by Sotirios Kyrgiakos, but also in momentum.


Just 42 seconds into the restart Everton equalised as Distin evaded Martin Skrtel to head home past Pepe Reina and silence the Anfield faithful. 


Liverpool were on the ropes as Everton took charge of the game and just 6 minutes later they edged ahead through Jermaine Beckford, who's curling effort, flew past the outstretched Reina.


Although, protests followed as referee Phil Dowd allowed play to continue after youngster Martin Kelly was sent crashing to the ground following a collision with Anichebe, during the build up. 


But just as Everton headed to their first double over their Merseyside rivals since the days of Joe Fagan, Howard bundled Red's winger Maxi to concede a penalty.


In the absence of Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt stepped up in front of the Kop to calmly slot the penalty to the left of Howard and ease some of the pressure on him and his team-mates.


Daglish and his side earned a vital point and he will hope that this result, along with the growing confidence of Torres, will allow them to push on and banish any unthinkable thoughts of relegation.