Friday, February 2 – 1945
Everton go into the “Derby” in the knowledge that they need only one point to make certain of qualifying for the competition proper and I think that will be their return from the latest tilt at the Reds who, in recent seasons have had much the better of the “local argument.”
Everton have yet to defeat Liverpool this season, two games ending in a draw and Liverpool winning the other two – both at Goodison Park. Liverpool still have a 100 per cent record in the competition for neither of their matches with Tranmere Rovers was played. However, the Reds can count on a good points percentage for those matches if the League decides not to ask for a season extension. So the Reds are certain to qualify if they manage to avoid defeat. They must get two points at least for the non-played games.
Everton’s only change from last week’s nine goals side is Catterick for Tommy Lawton, and Liverpool will be without Don Welsh, one of the bogy men in the Blues, but rejoice that Cumner and Nieuwenhuys are available, and that Jack Blood steps in for Jim Harley.
If Everton play as well as they did in the two Stockport games they will win, but the Liverpool boys have had a nice rest, and at Goodison Park they seemed to accomplish and I fancy the defence will prove supreme with Laurie Hughes (now fully recovered from his back injury) and Tommy Jones proving two of the most attractive figures. Secretary Mr. Theo Kelly says that all parts of the ground (that includes the paddock) will be opened except the old goal, double Decker.
Everton: George Burnett, George Jackson, Norman Greenhalgh, Jack Grant, Tommy Jones, Gordon Watson, Syd Rawlings, Stan Bentham, Harry Catterick, Alex Stevenson, Jimmy McIntosh.
Liverpool: Alf Hobson, Jack Blood, Jeff Gulliver, Harry Kaye, Laurie Hughes, Jack Pilling, Jack Campbell, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Phil Taylor, Horace Cumner, Michael Hulligan.
(Evening Express, 02-02-1945, by ‘Pilot’)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 