October 9, 1899
A solitary point is the result of the work of the Liverpool teams, and this falls to the lot of Everton. Whether we deserve the credit of one point for Saturday afternoon’s work is doubtful, for Preston played a more winning game than Everton. Just now we are thankful for small mercies, and one point is – at any rate – something to being on with.
Neither club have anything to boast of, but Everton are gaining ground, and that is something. You see, the position we are in does not allow much scone for bragging, despite the fact that the public roll up in a regular way, and there is not much satisfaction in doing so.
At Anfield there was the usual crowd who were disappointed with the result, and they had occasion to be, as the general run of the game was different to the actual result. The Liverpool men shaped better than they have done previously, and yet failed to find the net. They had numerous chances but made poor use of them, and good play in open counted nothing at all.
Against Derby they experienced some back luck, or their opponents had all the good that was knocking about, and surely, average will be struck before long. Seven matches played, seven lost, four goals for, and fifteen against is not Liverpool’s last season’s form.
And when we come to compare last season’s form we are apt to seek for an explanation of the falling off, but there is none to offer. A centre forward is difficult to get, I admit, but George Allan was not the great success expected of him last season, and the young ‘uns Liverpool had got were supposed to make him play all the time.
Even had he been fit, I have only seen Peter Kyle play once, and on that occasion he was on the losing side, but played as well as any of them, and I cannot understand this shuffling of the half-backs to fill the vacancy I admit the persons in charge of the affairs of the club have had a more extended trial, and may have good reason for changing with the half-backs, but I cannot see where the benefit comes in.
The position of the club is becoming serious, and if the reserves are “frosts,” then the club must go through the mill again or get a better lot. A better lot! Here we have a team that was acknowledged on all hands good enough for anything, and one that was second in the League, and had not the best of luck for runners up of the English Cup. Yet with two exceptions the same team have – well, words fail to express one’s thoughts.
(Source: Athletic News: October 9, 1899)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 