Monday, December 17 – 1900
A very disappointing exhibition of football was witnessed at Anfield, though from a Liverpool point of view the result was satisfactory, seeing that the victory was theirs, though only by the narrowest possible margin.
A vastly different display had been anticipated considering the calibre of the contending sides and a troublesome wind which prevailed coupled with a quadruple change in the constitution of the Cupholders-eleven, were not wholly responsible for the moderate form shown by both teams.
The game was one in which defence prevailed over attack, and at no time did the respective forwards gain marked superiority over the opposition.
After the fine performance at Manchester the previous week, one was scarcely prepared for such a complete revolution, but away matches have of late seen the Anfield team to greater advantage than the home contests.
As was the case a fortnight ago, the Liverpool forwards were by no means in a happy mood, and likewise on the left wing was the most conspicuous failure noticeable.
The extreme wing men were ech below their usual level, but Cox was the greater sinner, and those brilliant flashes along the wing were strangely wanting. Instead of making headway with his customary promptitude, the outside left dallied and finessed with the ball until it was taken from him, and this occurrence was repeated many times throughout the afternoon.
It was not from lack of opportunities to shine that this failure has to be reported, for Walker worked incessantly to open out the game, but almost every pass was bungled. The inside man fairly waded through the ruck, and was easily the most effective forward on his side.
The excellent work accomplished by the inside players was not turned to advantage by the extremists, and Liverpool’s attack was shorn of its keenness, whilst all round there was a lack of sting in shooting, and the attempts at goal were generally of half-hearted character.
McGuigan put in some delicate touches, but taken as a body, the front rank did not work with the swing and unanimity of purpose that were so prominently apparent in their two previous away fixtures.
But their opponents were similarly placed, and very little headway was made by McLuckie and his comrades. Richards, on the outside right, was the pick of their van, but the tremendous blow which he received in the face from one of Dunlop’s returns took a good deal of the life out of his movements.
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At half-back Liverpool held a slight advantage, and Wilson had no superior on the field. Rarely before has the smart right half rendered such excellent service to his side, but he fairly revelled in the going, and whether it was in bottling up the Bury left, or dropping into goal to aid the defence, Wilson was equally efficient.
Raisbeck was likewise in capital trim, and Goldie was quite successful, in fact the trio of halves gave an extremely creditable exhibition of sound football.
Robertson gave one of his choicest displays, his kicking being well timed and powerful, and even against the wind his returns were not lacking in power.
Dunlop also performed his part well, whilst Perkins was equal to every call upon him in goal.
Liverpool were the slightly superior side, but the display of both teams was of a moderate character in comparison with what they are really capable of accomplishing.
(Liverpool Mercury, 17-12-1900)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 