Source: Telegraph
Henry Winter: poison from stands mars derby passions
A photograph once adorned Liverpool's Melwood training ground showing Steven Gerrard going in two-footed on Gary Naysmith. It was a horrific lunge that sent blood spilling across the Everton full-back's white shorts during one particularly gory 2002 derby. The picture has sensibly been removed by a diplomat on the Liverpool staff but nothing can hide the almost visceral rivalry between these Merseyside neighbours. Related ArticlesEverton v Liverpool: previewMerseyside derby excites BilyaletdinovMoyes' unflinching faithMoyes hopes for Everton derby fightbackLiverpool oppose groundshare with EvertonLiverpool and Everton condemned to life as poor relationsAfter that game, Gerrard knocked on the door of the Everton dressing-room, looking to apologise to Naysmith, but David Moyes barred entry. As the Liverpool midfielder reflected later, it was probably just as well as he might not have re-emerged, such was Evertonian anger. The punishment of a three-match ban, and the supreme awkwardness of sitting next to Naysmith by chance on a plane, duly followed. Even during an era of clamping down on wild challenges, of ex-pros lamenting the game becoming a non-contact sport, anyone charting the ferocity of derbies would note that aggression still spices the occasion. Nine players have been dismissed during Liverpool-Everton encounters in the past four years. Tempers might boil over on the field during Sunday's derbies, from Molineux at noon, via Goodison, to the Emirates at 4pm, but the temperature has particularly risen among the maddened crowd. The changing nature of derby vitriol would fascinate sociologists. For a particularly shameful period, the Merseyside fixture was played out to a backdrop of racism in the stands, particularly when Liverpool signed John Barnes in 1987. Bananas were thrown and chants of 'Everton are white'' were sung until Goodison's then chairman, Philip Carter, confronted the problem. Everton's right-minded fans also moved to excise the poison within. If racism is far less prevalent in English stadia nowadays, it seems to have become open season on anything to do with opposing players, whether personal foible, physical appearance, family matters or off-field indiscretion. And particularly the colour of their shirt. Just look and listen to what happens when Gerrard takes a corner in front of Gwladys Street. He will place the ball down, not reacting to the taunts, not flinching, just focusing on delivering the perfect corner to punish his abusers. His recent stoicism in the face of such insults drew praise from Rafa Benitez on Saturday. Pointing out that his captain was 'more mature'' now and a 'very good professional'', Liverpool's manager added that Gerrard 'knows the best thing to do is concentrate on the game''. An ability to ignore the unpleasant noises off has become an important part of a player's match-day tool kit. Abuse flows increasingly. Few clubs can claim the moral high ground. Malevolent individuals lurk on all terraces. That most manic of English scraps, Liverpool versus Manchester United, regularly produces sick chants. Away from the ground as well. When Gary Neville was on holiday once, a Liverpool fan shouted 'Munich'' at him. While lacking the raw intensity of meetings with Aston Villa, Birmingham City will hardly be greeted with rose petals sprinkled along a red carpet by Wolves fans. Later on at the Emirates, that handful of obnoxious Arsenal fans behind the away dugout may taunt the Chelsea subs and coaching staff. Harry Redknapp was so angered by the abuse he endured during Tottenham's visit that he called on stewards to intervene. Sir Alex Ferguson and Sam Allardyce have both been subjected to such abuse there and the Emirates is one of the more civilised spots on the English football landscape. Desmond Morris is right: tribalism rules. Football also reflects social change, notably the ending of the age of deference. Yet a complicated subject cannot be viewed in black and white. The principled sit alongside the pernicious in the stands. Football also reveals the decency in people, the way Anfield embraced the grieving parents and brother of the slain Everton schoolboy Rhys Jones, the number of scarves and notes from rival fans regularly left at the Hillsborough shrine by the Shankly Gates. No sport does a minute's silence as movingly as football. Yet informal discussions have already taken place between supporters' organisations and the footballing authorities over how to combat the rising tide of abuse. Not before time. Just don't expect much goodwill on derby day. Derby daysEverton v LiverpoolAttendance: 40,000 Gate Receipts: £900,000Assets on show: £242 million (Everton £88m, Liverpool £154m)What it means: To the loser, the baton of crisis club. To the winner, the chance to escape the drudgery of a woeful run of form which has cost the hosts a shot at Europe and the visitors their Champions League status and their title challenge.----------Arsenal v ChelseaAttendance: 60,000 Gate Receipts: £2 million Assets on show: £393 million (Arsenal £153m, Chelsea £240m)What it means: Arsenal, put simply, must show that they have the quality in depth to sustain a title challenge despite an extensive injury list, while Chelsea will not wish to pass up the opportunity to lead their local rivals by eight points before the hectic Christmas period.----------Wolves v Birmingham CityAttendance: 29,000 Gate Receipts: £700,000 Assets on show: £55 million (Wolves £25m, Birmingham £30m)What it means: An old-fashioned relegation scrap. Both sides have shown enough to suggest they are capable of surviving in the Premier League, but it is in the games against fellow strugglers that their fates will be decided.----------Barcelona v Real MadridAttendance: 98,000 Gate Receipts: £2 million Assets on show: £660 million (Barcelona £348m, Real Madrid, £316m)What it means: The biggest game in the world, bar none. The most expensive side on the planet against the best side on the planet, the two best players of their generation going head-to-head (Messi and ??) with the leadership of La Liga at stake. It is the game that means everything.