The Reds played out a nil nil draw with Spurs at Anfield in what for me was a hit and miss game and will mainly be remembered for the cat that came racing on to the pitch and hung around to take in the atmosphere before walking off again.
A very foggy night in Liverpool did at one point have the game in doubt and I was mindful of only a few years ago getting half way to Anfield to watch us play Arsenal only for it to be called off. Just before setting off though the game was given the go-ahead for sure and in fairness by the time I got the ground most of the fog had well lifted.
The sides came out at Anfield and after winning the toss the Reds elected to defend the Kop in the first half so Spurs started the game. Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond took over team matters on the night with manager Harry Redknapp caught up in London after his trial and flight problems.
After just five minutes the Reds had a big penalty shout and I must say for me it looked a definite penalty - it was only when I saw it later at home that fair enough the ref was spot on and it was rightly play on.
After twelve minutes came the biggest talking point of the game when the ball went out for a throw a cat decided to race on to the pitch. Where it came from I have no idea other than down the Kop end Main stand side. It raced on, milked the atmosphere and then strolled off to the side where a steward picked it up and presumably ejected it.
With the game underway again it was more of the same with what I felt were two sides looking to play football but both not quite having a clear end product. It meant neither keeper was called in to great action and the more the game went on the more it looked like it was going to be a mistake to win the game.
The closest the Reds came in the first half was probably through Jay Spearing but the bend on the shot came just at the wrong time and his shot hit the pole holding the net up rather than the inside of the post to go in. That came about ten minutes before half time as we were looking the slightly better side.
One yellow card in the first half and it was Scott Parker who rightly saw it when he absolutely hacked Steven Gerrard to the floor whilst in full flight. It was a good position but we wasted the free kick.
The second half produced more pf the first half for me with Spurs always looking like a side where if it clicked in to place it would be scary but it was never quite clicking thankfully.
The Reds for their part were looking good but just didn't have that final product for the real chance.
Gareth Bale was booked on fifty four minutes for what happened right below me and quite frankly it was a pathetic dive in an attempt to get Agger booked. Bale went down in my estimations at that - he's always looked a good player with great pace but there was no need for his cheating. He actually squared up to Agger and I think he was lucky not to get a yellow card for the dive and one for the head in to Agger.
On sixty six minutes and to a standing ovation Luis Suarez was introduced to the pitch for the Reds and his ban was well and truly over. He replaced Kuyt and went straight in tot he action and nearly created the perfect return with a goal.
As much of an impact as he gave to the Reds he was duly booked a few minutes later when he watched a ball falling out of the sky and lashed a foot at it only to boot Scott Parker in the chest. He was booked and that was fair enough for dangerous play.
The only other booking of the night came on seventy six minutes when Skrtel was booked for what I thought was winning a fifty fifty challenge and moving on. Yes he caught Bale after winning the ball from what I could see and it looked to me that the ref played on at first before changing his mind.
As the clock ticked on it looked more and more like it was ending nil nil but we were putting pressure on to Spurs. That said Spurs had a great chance when Bale broke the offside trap - not that I thought that at the time but Reina stood big and managed to save and then Agger cleared the loose ball from in front of the goal.
In the final minutes Suarez had a great header that he headed at Friedel but I still thought a winner could have come for us but a home draw I guess is what happens this season.
MotM : Martin Skrtel - played superbly at the back with Agger and that partnership is really blossoming well.
