MY ACCOUNT
Liverpool and Everton’s rivalry is the longest-running top-flight derby in England — and one of the most intense too.
The two sides play their home matches less than a mile away from each other, with the Merseyside region fiercely divided into two tribes of red and blue.
In years gone by, fans of the clubs have been treated to some classic encounters.
In no particular order, we take a look back at five memorable Merseyside derbies ahead of this evening’s latest installment.
Liverpool 3-2 Everton (1989)
Our list of classic derbies kicks off with an absolute cracker.
The 1989 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Everton was a repeat of the 1986 showpiece, with the Reds having emerged victorious on that occasion.
Liverpool went into this Wembley rematch as favourites too despite having had a heartbreaking season on and off the field.
Arsenal had just pipped the Reds to the title despite having an identical points tally and goal difference as their rivals.
Yet that disappointment paled into insignificance compared to the Hillsborough disaster, which had occurred just five weeks prior to the final.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Reds showed grit and determination to defeat Everton after extra-time in a thrilling contest.
Ian Rush scored a brace in extended play to cancel out Stuart McCall’s second equaliser of the game, handing Liverpool a second FA Cup victory over their neighbours in three years.
Everton 4-4 Liverpool (1991)
Our next classic Merseyside derby is another thrilling FA Cup encounter — this time in a fifth-round replay.
The original tie ended in an uneventful 0-0 draw, but the replay at Goodison Park resulted in an eight-goal thriller that saw ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish manage his final game in charge of Liverpool — until his shock return in 2011, that is.
The affair was a brilliant back and forth shootout between the two sides with Liverpool striking first through Peter Beardsley.
But the hosts soon hit back with Graeme Sharp equalising for Everton.
Beardsley scored another to help Liverpool retake the lead but Sharp equalised once again, before Rush and Tony Cottee exchanged strikes to make the score 3-3 and send the tie to extra-time.
John Barnes looked to have given Liverpool the win before Cottee drew the hosts level again, sending the tie to a second replay where Everton eventually emerged 1-0 winners.
Everton 2-3 Liverpool (2001)
To the disappointment of Everton fans, this result had a big impact on Liverpool winning the treble under Gerard Houllier in 2001.
The Toffees were under serious threat of relegation and their old foes were pushing to qualify for the Champions League, making the clash even more important than usual.
The match itself was full of drama and entertainment — it saw 12 bookings and a red card on top of the five goals.
Emile Heskey, Markus Babbel and Gary McAllister all scored for the Reds as they defeated their arch-rivals on their own turf.
It was McAllister’s last-minute free-kick from over 40 yards that stole the headlines, with Liverpool going on to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
The victory also propelled the Reds to a memorable cup treble that term, lifting the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup.
Everton 3-3 Liverpool (2013)
In yet another scintillating derby at Goodison Park, late drama was again on the menu in this 3-3 Premier League draw.
Liverpool took the lead through a Philippe Coutinho strike in the fifth minute before Kevin Mirallas hit back for the hosts.
Everton’s first goalscorer was fortunate to escape a red card in the match for a nasty foul on Luis Suarez before the Uruguay international put the Reds back in front.
Romelu Lukaku played his part in a pulsating contest, scoring twice in 10 minutes to put Everton 3-2 up and within reach of a well-earned victory.
But Daniel Sturridge popped up to nod home a Steven Gerrard free-kick in the 89th minute and send the away fans into a frenzy as the Reds rescued a point.
Liverpool 0-2 Everton (2021)
Our final spot on the list of classic Merseyside derbies goes to Everton’s long-awaited victory at Anfield in February 2021.
Liverpool had not lost a derby at home since 1999 but that changed courtesy of goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The match was dominated by the Toffees, who put in a stellar performance without a crowd present to put any pressure on the visitors.
The victory put Everton level on points with Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s champions failed to mount a serious title defence.
The Reds were missing Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, meaning Jordan Henderson had to fill in at centre-back.
Regardless, Everton warranted their historic victory — even if an agitated Klopp disagreed.
