Friday, February 2 – 1945
Though the heavy call on our internationals effect the teams for the Everton – Liverpool Cup-tie at Goodison Park, it isn’t likely to detract from the thrills and excitement inherent in a tussle between these old but friendly rivals. This will be their fifth meeting this season and the 37th since the war started.
Seems a lot in just over five years, but neither custom nor frequency can state the irresistible attraction of a “Liverton” clash. Of the four previous games this season, three of which have been at Goodison, Liverpool have won two and drawn two, while in all the 26 war-time games the Reds have won 17, the Blues 14, and five have been drawn.
There isn’t much in it –and may be less after to-morrow, for I fancy Everton to win this time, though Liverpool are so unpredictable that it will be no surprise if they come out on top again. Everton will have Catterick at centre forward in place of Tommy Lawton otherwise they are unchanged. So long as the better side wins I shall be content, be it Red or Blue.
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.
(Liverpool Echo, 02-02-1945, ‘Rangers notes’)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 