CHANTS
THERE will be the usual controversy, recriminations and hyperbole once the whistle has gone on the anticipated derby double-header.
We wouldn't expect anything else.
But there could also be queues outside the custody suite in Walton Lane police station longer than Rafa's list of perceived misdemeanours by "Evil Alex Ferguson".
That's if Merseyside police follow through with their warning to prosecute fans for "criminal chanting" and it's not simply a tactic to diffuse the tinder box.
Yes, recent derbies have undoubtedly witnessed new lows in the taste stakes when it comes to chants about players' appearance or their children.
In fact, Rafa Benitez showed poor judgement on a par with trying to out-psych Alex Ferguson when he - with amusingly partisan semi-deafness - criticised Everton fans for chants after last year's game at Anfield and said nothing of his own supporters.
But as unsavoury as those chants may were, I'm pretty sure they weren't criminal in the same sense as what some Spurs supporters sang at Sol Campbell were.
None of the chants are homophobic or racist and the only one which could potentially be interpreted is unlikely to be aired because of injuries to certain players.
If Merseyside police does arrest fans, I can only imagine they will work with stewards to target and then pluck out individuals who stand up and start specific chants.
Surely it will be a thankless task which your average matchday bobby will relish about as much as a visit of Manchester United.
Police shouldn't face condemnation for trying to stamp out abhorrent chanting but they should be sensible enough to pick battles they can win. 
And in private they should be briefing both football clubs' managers and players to steer away from any outbursts or behaviour which will really up the ante and could trigger drink-related derby violence in the city with far more consequences than a chant.
* Liverpoolecho.co.uk will feature a live Derby Blog tonight before, during and after the big game. Log on to get involved by sending pictures, comments or general banter.
(This article originally appeared in the Liverpool Echo on Saturday, January 17, 2008).
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Greg O'Keeffe
"And in private they should be briefing both football clubs' managers and players to steer away from any outbursts or behaviour which will really up the ante and could trigger drink-related derby violence in the city with far more consequences than a chant."
No offence Greg, but what has Rafa ever said that is more offensive than being called murderers, wall-pushing gestures and whatever else Everton fans have been coming up with for the last couple of years.
In fact tell me any chants that you find personally offensive that has been sung by Liverpool fans that are offensive as the Hillsborough and Heysel jibes.
How come our wonderful Echo will never mention these chants alone, but have you and Luke writing pieces how its both sets of fans that are as bad as each other.?Thats crap and you know.
Peter
You already know these "chants". It also doesn't help when beneathus refers to Everton as a "small club" for example and as for lasts seasons disrespectful complaint which resulted in a media witch-hunt against EFC, that was too much, when taking into account not only the "chants", but the assualt on Phil Neville by two reds as he went to take a throw-in.
Then again Peter, why should the reds shoulder any responsibility for the hate-fest that the friendly derby has become? Your already laying the blame a mere seven hours before kick-off!
Despite the above, Peter how about being civil to one another instead of this petty point scoring? Is it too much too ask?
Think you won that one, Greg. Actually, I've got one or two friends who are "Liverpool fans", but they never go to watch them, so they certainly aren't guilty of offensive chanting! (Mind you, Scandinavian languages don't really suit chanting (or singing - remember ABBA?))