Anfield Iron: Masch deserves derby goal

Kop legend Tommy Smith has backed Javier Mascherano's intentions to claim the opening goal in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Everton.

The Argentina captain's 12^th minute shot took a deflection off Joseph Yobo before nestling into the bottom corner, with many crediting the effort as an own-goal by the Blues defender.

However, Mascherano confirmed to Liverpoolfc.tv afterwards he will claim the strike as his own - and Smith is in full agreement.

He said: "Everyone seems to be agreeing that the first goal in Sunday's derby match should go down as a Joseph Yobo own goal. Except me, that is.

"And of course Javier Mascherano himself, who ran the length of the pitch in celebration and shared the moment with the Liverpool fans at Goodison.

"Well, here's why it should be credited to the terrific little Argentinean

"The record book shows that on October 17 this year Darren Bent scored a goal against Liverpool.

"He hit a shot which would easily have been saved by Pepe Reina, had it not struck something and been deflected past him cruelly.

"So if that went down as Bent's goal, and wasn't credited to that beach ball, then can someone explain to me why Mascherano isn't entitled to claim his in exactly the same way Bent has done?

"Mascherano is not the sort of player who gets too many to his name, so he'll be desperate for that one to stand for him. And it definitely should."