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‘Doing the Tottenham’. It had become a toxic phrase intended to reflect uncontrolled expenditure and unworthy recruits, and more importantly, it had begun to circle around Anfield.
With one sweet, sensational strike, exasperation ruled Anfield again, extinguishing the joy evoked by Steven Gerrard's outstanding free kick. The Kop, their throats hoarse after engrossing in a vocal slugfest with the visiting Everton fans, departed exuding dejection yet in full acknowledgment that their unerring faith will be rewarded eventually.
Impressive performance
Perhaps by Liverpool's summer signings, who shone under the intense scrutiny on which their individual displays were analysed and discussed. Mario Balotelli excelled, continuously harrying Everton's defence and producing moments of genius. Adam Lallana did not stop running, almost assuming the role of a box-to-box midfielder in his commendable execution of his attacking and defensive duties. Liverpool's Spanish full-backs Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno, the latter in particular, embarked without relent nor compunction on direct and menacing buccaneering runs. At times, Dejan Lovren produced moments of his defensive class while Lazar Markovic showed signs of further embellishing Liverpool's offensive force, the Serb gradually adapting to the ferocity and frenetic pace of the Premier League.
Balotelli adorned the front cover of the "This is Anfield" match programme, the Italian starting as a lone striker with Daniel Sturridge failing a late fitness test.
Rodgers believes in Lallana, defying the critics to select the England international in Liverpool's attacking three of Lallana, Sterling and Markovic. He was vibrant and effervescent, surging forward before being poleaxed by an aggressive Gareth Barry after only 51 seconds.
Lallana shimmered with danger as he roamed across the final third, moving across to the left hand channel and almost controlled Moreno's slightly mis-hit pass.
The Spaniard's attempts to stifle Romelu Lukaku were equally mis-judged, Liverpool's £12 million purchase from Sevilla brusquely pulling Lukaku to the turf and emerging fortunate not to have conceded a patently obvious penalty.
Yet Moreno continued to involve himself, surging forward and putting his searing pace to good use. At £12 million, the 21 year-old seems a sagacious purchase.
Seemingly subdued, Balotelli burst effervescently into life, latching onto Jordan Henderson's fabulously incisive pass, though deemed offside, and cushioning his effort accurately at Howard.
The eccentric Italian was firmly in the mood, displaying his strength to rob the disinclined Barry before collapsing to the turf under the Everton midfielder's cynical hooked challenge. The resulting free-kick, the responsibility assumed by Balotelli, was equally impressive, Howard diving to his right to thwart the former Manchester City striker.
Lallana effervescent, Balotelli dangerous
Lallana continued to threaten, meeting Gerrard's enticing corner delivery, jumping above Hibbert and heading powerfully towards goal, his effort saved by Howard. Exuding determination, Lallana spearheaded another promising Liverpool move. Dispossessing James McCarthy, Lallana nudged the ball towards Balotelli, the Italian sweeping the ball out to Manquillo with a magnificent outside of the boot pass. This was a move orchestrated between Liverpool's new signings, Lallana striving to meet Manquillo's teasing cross.
Moreno and Manquillo were stationed in Everton's half while Balotelli indulged in Rodgers's desire for him to graft, holding off a physical challenge from John Stones before opportunistically stabbing the ball straight at Howard.
Yet there were occasional lapses in concentration, Moreno, with preferable options available, firing over from 40 yards and hesitation from Lovren and Markovic almost resulting in an Everton opener. Lovren's headed clearance from Steven Naismith's cross was poor and unconvincing and Leighton Baines capitalised on Markovic's hesitation, delivering a hazardous drilled cross from which Lukaku almost benefited from, was it not for Lovren's crucial sliding intervention.
In this frenetic 223rd Merseyside Derby, Liverpool embarked on another attack of great potential, Moreno sprinting down the left channel and delivering an excellent cross minimally above the heads of Balotelli and Markovic.
His attacking endeavour was replicated by Spanish compatriot Manquillo, the Atlético Madrid loanee receiving Henderson's outstanding, defence-splitting pass and attempting to find Balotelli.
Lallana continued to wreak havoc, roaming across the final third and endearing himself to the Kop. He rolled McCarthy before beating Hibbert to the ball to keep a Liverpool offensive alive and lapping up Anfield's acclaim.
Although improving, Markovic was failing to impose his mercurial excellence on the match, the Serb receiving words of wisdom from Rodgers as the two conversed on the touch-line.
He was revitalised after the break, embarking on a direct run through Everton's core and appealing for a penalty under McCarthy's presence. Rodgers, arms out-stretched, implored for the awarding of a penalty moments after Balotelli had collapsed to the turf with Jagielka the perceived culprit.
The Italian then managed to garner the attention of the referee, aggressively poleaxed by Hibbert. Everton were aware of the threat Balotelli possessed, McCarthy strong on the striker.
Lallana was dropping deep when Everton applied sustained pressure, partnering Gerrard as cover for Liverpool's suspect defence. Breaking up another Everton assault, Liverpool's £25 million purchase chested the ball into Markovic's path, the Serbian losing out to Baines. Short on confidence, he departed for Phillipe Coutinho.
Lallana continued to impress, accelerating beyond McCarthy before claiming to have been brushed aside illegally by Baines, offering his own unequivocal view in appealing for a penalty.
Balotelli was enriching Liverpool's attacks, spreading the play to Manquillo. The Italian departed to an appreciative reception, replaced by Rickie Lambert.
Lallana continued to run, continued to dribble and bewilder Everton, yet he was impotent to deny Phil Jagielka from scoring an outstanding rocket from 25 yards. Yet he, among others, was key in restoring Anfield's faith.
