Fight, fight, fight. It’s a mantra from one of Everton’s most renowned terrace chants, the demand that nothing is left behind in the wearing of a Royal Blue jersey.
Those words came to mind in the 19th minute of the 206th Merseyside derby as a stark reminder. As supporters started streaming for the exits, there was no sign of fight. It was quite the opposite, in fact. Here was a bleak picture of surrender.
Evertonians had feared the worst ahead of this latest neighbourhood squabble and as Liverpool threatened to cut loose, it was too much for many to handle. Down the steps of the Park End they scurried, blocking out the taunts of those in Red.
Everton have been renowned for fighting but there was no evidence of that against Liverpool
Some of their fans started heading for the exits after just 20 minutes into their defeat
No wonder. At that point, there was no contest, just the likelihood of a humiliation.
Liverpool had created seven chances in that period and, really, should have had victory wrapped up. A sign of how little pressure they were under arrived when Andrew Robertson was allowed to gallop 50 yards up field, cutting in from the left at leisure, without any sign of a tackle arriving.
That opening quarter was an affront to those who had created a bear pit before kick-off, this grand old stadium was shaking with expectation.
The reality that emerged as Liverpool kept the ball, goading them with each pass was horribly sobering, as they threatened to be left as dead as dodos.
The fact this squad downed tools against Liverpool of all times was the biggest affront here
This Everton squad, assembled at great cost over the last five years, is well capable of downing tools at any given moment but to have done so against Liverpool would have been the biggest affront of all. When fans want to go home after
