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300 years ago, when Alexander Pope sat down to write down his eponymous poem, he wouldn’t have envisioned the popularity of such a statement let alone that it will embody one of football’s greatest rivalries – Manchester United FC vs Liverpool FC.
Why exactly this is such a great rivalry is one a lot of articles have expounded upon. But what made this specific fixture on 11.02.12 most interesting was a certain face off between the once commanding yet dwindling abilities of the interim captain of Manchester United FC against the fast rising face of English Premier League who bedazzled everyone with his bucktooth and his mazy magic abilities on the ball. Why? Because Suarez called Evra the N word.
Considering the backdrop of the eight match ban on Suarez based on Evra’s word alone, the constant never ending support for Suarez (in various ways) only for the club to not proceed with an appeal – which decidedly left a sour taste in many a LFC fan – and the admission by Evra and FA that Suarez was not a racist (which fans never give a damn about anyway) and Evra’s poor form for quite some time which had left many a United fan bewildered with SAF this had all the chance for a blockbuster.
And what a blockbuster start it was. The pre-match ceremony of shaking hands started. Suarez did not shake Evra’s hand. He reached for De Gea’s gloved hand and promptly Evra grabbed it and forcibly shook it before he smiled off after the ref has intervened. Ferdinand did not shake Luis hands either.
The handshake or How I don't forget what you did to me
Tell me what exactly did you feel?
1. You go Luis. You da man (Most Liverpool fans I guess)
2. What a twat – (Most United/Everton fans)
3. The glory days of EPL are back ;Vieira – Keane FTW (Most Arsenal ones)
Searching for a fourth option? I am surprised that you actually thought a fourth one exists. Then I guess you must be thinking the same as me. But then we will return to that later.
The game started. Bright start by Henderson and Downing. Though I have a sneaking suspicion that neither of them were told that football games last 90 mins. United bossed Liverpool and had a couple of good chances one of which was a one touch move which ended in a Rafael cross/shot. Should have scored United. You should have. Son of John then almost punished United. And then it meandered on to a finish where again the game sparked to life when Luis danced and bedazzled to make it through onto the goal only for #stayonyourfeet to clear it – which has been the case for most Suarez plays this season. Did you notice Henderson running on? Did ya? You are a true Liverpool fan!
Second half saw two back to back goals. The latter was gift wrapped by the resident scouser who has played very well from the time he debuted under Rafa against Real. But he was darn poor today. Rightfully taken off along with our number 19 (oh the irony) for wine bottle and golf club. Wait what? Time went on. Liverpool were continually poor with no pressing AT ALL. Suarez scrapped in a goal at 80 minutes and de Gea saved a Glen Johnson shot, denying Liverpool the equaliser.
What has happened after the game was truly out of the world. I don’t have words to describe it. So I will just post the link
What did you feel then?
1. Take that you damn racist (Most United/Everton fans)
2. Oh you are SO gonna get yours (Most Liverpool fans)
3. Who is the kid now Evra? (Most Arsenal fans)
Still searching for that fourth option? I truly commend you.
It was a poor game of football which was well won by United who were the better side on the day. But Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra went over and above Howard Webb to make this a game which will be remembered for their respective behaviour. This is when the line blurs between the idolising of a player for what he has done which is what has been going on amidst both sets of fans. While I agree that the Premier League has lacked characters for quite sometime now, this is not what it should descend into. At the end of the day we did not have the football that we loved and we did not have the respect for these two (whatever little remained of it).
