Football: Swiss praise for Liverpool tactics
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Your support makes all the difference.Roy Evans resumes his domestic duties tomorrow with a Merseyside derby, secure in the knowledge that Liverpool have regained their high standing in Europe.
A place in the quarter-finals of the Cup-Winners' Cup in March now looks likely following their 2-1 victory against Sion. The result in this second- round first-leg game was just the boost Evans and his players needed before tomorrow's game with Everton at Anfield.
The way they went about securing that victory on Thursday night was loudly applauded in Switzerland, while Evans himself called his team's approach "professional".
Robbie Fowler and John Barnes got the goals after Christophe Bonvin had given Sion a surprise early lead.
Alberto Bigon, the Sion coach, said Liverpool deserved their victory and that his club now seem resigned to going out of the competition.
Swiss journalists and broadcasters also praised Evans for his forward- thinking tactics. Patrik Herr of Sport Zurich said: "When Liverpool equalised, many people thought they would settle for a draw. But it was obviously not in their thinking and that startled a lot of people here.
"They are not used to seeing a visiting side play such an offensive game and it was very thrilling to watch. It made for a very special game and I know the people of Sion were honoured to see such a performance.
"John Barnes never gave the ball away, but most of the papers here say Steve McManaman was the outstanding player.
"He has marvellous skill and I don't think the Sion defenders have faced a player like that before, one who runs straight at them."
Despite praising his team, Evans was unhappy at the way his team defended for long spells and has the option of recalling Neil Ruddock against Everton.
John Scales, who was continually pulled out of position in Switzerland, could find his place under threat. Evans will also wait to assess the fitness of Fowler, who managed to play for 68 minutes after missing three matches because of an ankle injury.
Dave Watson could return to the Everton defence for the first time since the opening day of the season. He came through an A-team game this week behind closed doors without any problems after suffering a combination of knee and groin injuries.
Everton have come in for much criticism since their opening-day victory over Newcastle and they aim to use that to their advantage. Joe Royle, the Everton manager, said: "Nothing unites a team more than criticism of this kind. We are not going to Anfield just to make up the numbers."
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