A Guide to the Liverpool vs Everton Derby

Welcome to the dirtiest derby in English Premier League history. One of the most passionate rivalries that goes back decades. The hatred for one other is real; both fans are passionate about their respective clubs. Both are highly accomplished and successful clubs in England, so the rivalry is even more tense.

One of the best facts about the Merseyside Derby is that it is the longest-running derby in the top flight. The Derby has been played in the top division since the 1962-63 season. If that doesn’t tell you about the quality of this derby then nothing will!

Liverpool and Everton have faced each other not only in league games but in domestic cup finals and knockout rounds of some domestic cups. Let’s dive into some more details about one of England’s fiercest rivalries.

A Brief History of Liverpool FC

Liverpool was formed in 1892 and currently is the most successful club in England. Liverpool has 19 League Titles and 6 European Cups, on top of winning 8 FA Cups and 9 League Cups. 

Liverpool has had some of the most iconic managers in their history – Bill Shankly, Joe Fagan, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish(Who also happens to be arguably Liverpool’s best-ever player), Gerard Houllier, Rafael Benitez, and Jurgen Klopp(Also the current manager).

Liverpool’s club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was adopted from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical Carousel.  Gerry and The Pacemakers covered the song in October 1963, and topped the chart for 4 weeks. Fans at Anfield began to sing it, and it became the club anthem, which is now being sung before, after, and during the games by the Liverpool supporters. You’ll Never Walk Alone was also put on the Shankly Gates as a tribute to Bill Shankly.

A Brief History of Everton

Everton was formed in1878, they are also a historically significant and successful club in  England. In their history, Everton has won 9 League Titles, 5 FA Cups, and 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup. 

Everton has one of the greatest records in English Football history as they are one of the only two clubs alongside Arsenal to have never been relegated from the top flight. They are the second-longest club to have a continuous presence in the English top flight.

While being historically successful, Everton have struggled lately. They haven’t been able to win a single trophy in the last 28 years, their last trophy was the FA Cup win against Manchester United in 1995. Everton have flirted more with relegation than challenging for a top-4 spot.

History of the Merseyside Derby

Before the modern-day derbies, Everton vs Liverpool was once referred to as the “Friendly Derby”. There was no animosity between the two sets of supporters. The derbies in the early years just like others were just normal matches.

The two sets of supporters never rioted or spread hooliganism during or after matches, unlike other derbies.

There was never a fallout between the Everton and Liverpool supporters until the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus, now infamously known as the Heysel Disaster, where 39 supporters lost their lives; mostly Juve fans, due to hooliganism by Liverpool fans. Liverpool and all the other English clubs including Everton were banned from European competitions for 5 years(Liverpool got a 6 years ban).

The Heysel fallout did not sit well with the Everton fans which created tension between the two clubs as Everton was into its golden period. They were winning big titles and domestic trophies in the 80s and one incident by their neighbours snatched a whole club’s European dream. 

To this day Everton has not taken part in the European Cup/Champions League proper. They made it to the qualifying of the 2005/06 season, only to get knocked out by Villareal before making the group stages. Guess who won the 2004/05 Champions League title the previous year? Liverpool!

Liverpool has been the dominant side since the turn of the century from the two. While Everton’s success on and off the field stagnated in the 90s, Liverpool have gone from strength to strength.

Liverpool has managed to win the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Premier League, Europa League, Club World Cup, and a treble since Everton last won a trophy.

Trophies Won By Liverpool and Everton

There is no match when it comes to counting the honours with Liverpool far superior but there once was a time in the 80s when the rivalry was at its peak.

Both teams were trading League titles, but since then it has been a one-horse race.

Merseyside Derby Records and Facts

• Ian Rush is the leading goalscorer in the Merseyside Derby with 25 goals in all competitions, followed by Everton’s Dixie Dean with 19 goals in all competitions.
• Neville Southall has the most appearances in the derby with a total of 41 appearances, followed by Ian Rush with 36 appearances in his two spells at Liverpool.
• Liverpool holds the longest unbeaten streak between the two clubs, the record stands at 23 games between 2011-2020.
• Liverpool also holds the record for the longest unbeaten streak at home. Liverpool stayed unbeaten at Anfield between 2000-2020. Everton needed an empty Anfield during the Pandemic period to end that streak.
• The longest away unbeaten streak is held by Everton, 16 matches at Anfield between 1899 to 1920.
• Liverpool vs Everton is the dirtiest derby in the Premier League. The Merseyside Derby has produced 23 red cards in the Premier League era.
• Steven Gerrard and Phil Neville have both been sent off twice in the Merseyside Derby, more than anyone else in this era.
• The biggest victory by the scoreline at a home stadium belongs to Liverpool at Anfield in the 1935-36 season, the Reds ran out 6-0 winners on that day.
• The biggest away victory in the derby is held by both Everton and Liverpool, Everton won 5-0 at Anfield in the 1914-15 season, and Liverpool won 5-0 at Goodison Park in the 1982-83 season.
• Divock Origi holds the record for scoring the latest last-minute winner in the derby in normal time, Origi scored in the 90+6 mins at Anfield in the 2018/19 season.
• David Johnson and Peter Beardsley hold the record for scoring in a derby for both the Merseyside clubs.
• Everton has done a League double over Liverpool 9 times, while Liverpool has done a double over Everton 16 times.
• In a unique circumstance, Liverpool and Everton faced each other 6 times in one season in the 1986/87 season. Liverpool won four fixtures and drew the other two.
• Jamie Carragher famously scored a penalty AGAINST Liverpool in his testimonial game, Carragher was an Evertonian when growing up as a kid. 35,631 fans attended the Reds’ legendary testimonial.
• Patrick Gordon is the first-ever player to play for both the Merseyside clubs. Gordon first played for Everton before being signed by Liverpool in 1893.

Famous Merseyside Derby Matches

Liverpool and Everton have had some of the craziest games in Merseyside derby history. From late winners to controversial red cards to controversial winners and goals, this derby has had everything and then some!

Let’s look at some of the most memorable games in the Merseyside derby over the years.

Everton 0 – 5 Liverpool, 1982, Ian Rush Goes Crazy

Bob Paisley, the legendary Liverpool manager, told his strikers before the game how no one had scored a hattrick in the Merseyside derby in decades. Guess who took the hint? The greatest Liverpool striker of all time, Ian Rush.

Ian Rush went crazy that game scoring four goals and still could have had more. Everton was clueless the whole game, dodgy offside trap and below-average performance meant they were at the end of a record thrashing by their neighbours.

Everton’s Glen Keeley getting sent off 20 minutes from time did not help the matter either, but Liverpool were more than deserving to win that day emphatically. Dalglish and Rush tore Everton apart that day.

Liverpool 1 – 2 Everton, 1995, Kanchelskis Breaks the Trend

Liverpool was unbeaten at Anfield since 1987, and an almost decade of dominance against their neighbours came to an abrupt end. Liverpool’s sketchy form that season came back to haunt them as Andrei Kanchelskis scored a brace and broke Liverpool’s stronghold record at Anfield.

The game is significant because Everton hadn’t looked like breaking Liverpool’s dominance in the Merseyside derbies at Anfield even with the Reds having mediocre seasons and squads in the new Premier League era.

Kanchelskis only spent two years at Goodison Park, but that day in 1995 he became a legend in the eyes of many blues who ended up celebrating the win wildly, even Liverpool’s own Robbie Fowler’s consolation did not bring the mood down for the away supporters.

Liverpool 4 – 0 Everton, 2014, Just a Bump in the Title Charge

What could have been? This game was one of the series of matches where Liverpool began their charge to challenge Manchester City for the League Title. The moment Steven Gerrard nodded in the opener from a corner kick you knew Liverpool were going to run rampant and they did.

Going into the game, Everton were just a point behind Liverpool as both the Merseyside clubs were going for a Champions League spot. Liverpool eviscerated any Everton hope after the game. Gerrard and Suarez scored a goal each, Sturridge scored a brace and also had the luxury of missing a penalty, thus missing a chance to score a hat trick.

Everton, in the Premier League era, spent more time in mid table obscurity than challenging for European spots, and thus this result was more significant as a win would have gotten them closer to a European spot for next season.

Liverpool, meanwhile, brushed aside their neighbours and started a title charge that ultimately ended in heartbreak.

Everton 3 – 3 Liverpool, 2013, Sturridge Saves the Day

We rarely get Merseyside derbies like these. A game where both teams look good going forward and awful at the back. The above game was a reverse fixture of this match, the complete opposite of that game.

Coutinho opened the scoring for the Reds only for Mirallas to equalise for the Blues, Mirallas should have been sent off before he scored the equaliser for a horror tackle on Suarez. Suarez then helped himself to a goal before half-time to restore the lead for the Reds.

Lukaku who missed quite a few chances in the game finally pounced on one to score an equaliser and then scored again to give Everton the lead, for the first time in the game.

Sturridge was introduced by Brendan Rodgers to make an impact and he made one. Sturridge scored an equalising goal for Liverpool in the 89th minute to rescue a point for the Reds.

This game was an instant classic and Liverpool still had a chance to win the game with Victor Moses having his effort saved and Sturridge also managed to score an off-side goal in injury time.

Everton 4 – 4 Liverpool, 1991, FA Cup, The King has Left the Building

A highly significant game in Liverpool’s history. A match that marked the beginning of an end of Liverpool’s dominance in England. A fitting end and the perfect description of what Liverpool had become by then – tumultuous.

The game was extraordinary as Liverpool scored four great goals only for Everton to crawl back every single time with a scrappy goal. That game showed Liverpool’s once great defence had turned into a joke and the club was still reeling from the effects of the Hillsborough Disaster.

Kenny Dalglish walked away from the Liverpool job after the game and he admitted the Hillsborough disaster had taken a toll on him. He resigned two days after the game. To rub salt in the wound, Liverpool lost the replay 1-0 at Anfield. Liverpool’s downward spiral had begun.

Liverpool 3 – 2 Everton, 1989, FA Cup Final, The Most Emotionally Charged Game of Football

Fittingly Liverpool and Everton were playing in this final. After the Hillsborough tragedy, Merseyside was united. This game was taking place in the immediate aftermath of Hillsborough. The atmosphere for this game before, during, and after was very sombre.

The match was a perfect tribute to the people who perished in the tragedy. John Aldridge, who was close to quitting the game altogether and retiring, opened the scoring for the Reds early doors. Stuart McCall equalised for Everton in the dying embers of the game.

Ian Rush who was brought on as a substitute put Liverpool ahead once again in extra-time, and Stuart McCall again equalised for Everton, Rush had the final say on the game when he buried a header past Neville Southall to score the winner and fittingly win the FA Cup for Liverpool.

The Guardian described the event perfectly –  “Red and blue scarves were waved by people who climbed trees, lamp-posts and bus shelters. Hybrid scarves along the way – Liverpool and Everton. We will remember April 15, 1989.”

Liverpool 4 – 0 Everton, 2016, The Start of Something Special

Jurgen Klopp’s first derby as a Liverpool boss and his first victory in the derby. Liverpool simply brushed Everton aside in this game. The idea and the way Liverpool would play under Klopp became clearer with every game and this game was the cherry on the cake.

Origi, Sakho, Sturridge, and Coutinho scored for the Reds. The significance of this game is more to do with Klopp. This game was a precursor to how Liverpool would approach games under him. Klopp has to date lost only one game against Everton and that was in an empty stadium.

Klopp’s dominance in the Merseyside derby started here and it has since continued. The manner of the defeat would have hurt every Evertonian, but this wasn’t their worst defeat against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.

Liverpool 1 – 0 Everton, 2018, The Divock Origi Show

Arguably the greatest-worst derby goal to have ever been scored at Anfield. The latest winner in the Merseyside derby. Origi became a hero overnight. Van Dijk’s worst-ever attempt at a goal became his best assist for Liverpool. Klopp’s wild celebration. Anfield was in ruptures. This game was mad.

Liverpool and Everton huffed and puffed the whole game. Both teams carved out decent chances to score but the game remained deadlocked until Lord Divock Origi(Fondly known as – in Liverpool) came on as a substitute. He was out for a long-time and this was his first appearance since 2017.

The goal that won the game so late on was remarkably almost comical, it was as if someone wrote a script and players followed it to the T.

Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a free-kick from deep after Alisson helped it onto him, a headed clearance only went as far as Van Dijk who was standing on the edge of the box.

His first time volley ballooned into the sky and it was destined to land on the roof of the net, Everton keeper Pickford intervened and tried to claw the ball back only succeeding in tripping the ball onto the crossbar and back into play. Origi was the only one taking a chance on it and he tapped in a header from a yard out.

The goal sent Anfield into pandemonium, as Klopp burst onto the pitch and sprinted towards Alisson and then leapt on him in celebration and then ran back and leapt on Pep Lijnders(Klopp’s assistant) as players and fans celebrated the goal wildly.

That goal and moment will go down as one of the most iconic moments in Premier League history let alone in Merseyside history.

Everton 3 – 0 Liverpool, 2006, Rafa’s Reds Brought Down to Earth

Liverpool had won the Champions League and the FA Cup in back-to-back seasons before this season and Benitez had won his last three derbies matches. Liverpool were confident when they came into this match and then Johnson happened. He ran the whole Liverpool defence ragged.

Carragher had possibly his worst-ever derby match in a Liverpool shirt. He kept making one mistake after another. Andy Johnson to his credit was the difference-maker that day. He scored two goals by pouncing on two mistakes while Cahill got the opener.

Liverpool had their chances but any other result would have been unfair on Everton who thoroughly deserved the win.

Rafael Benitez got a reality check that day as he was confident before the game of Liverpool going to Goodison Park and getting yet another positive result.

Liverpool 3 – 1 Everton, 2006, Gerrard Sees Red and So Do Everton

Steven Gerrard and James Beattie wore a special edition 08 shirt during the match because Liverpool was awarded the status of being the Culture Capital of Europe for 2008. That was the only high point of the game for both Gerrard and Beattie.

Gerrard was sent off after just 18 minutes for two quick-fire yellow cards, still, Liverpool rallied in his absence and they were fantastic that day. Two goals in quick succession from Luis Garcia and a Phil Neville OG gave Liverpool something to hang onto.

Cahill reduced the arrears but Kewell sealed the win for the Reds with a thunderbolt from outside the box.

That game along with the midweek 7-0 thumping of Birmingham in the FA Cup was the catalyst for the Reds to go on to win the FA Cup.

Everton 2 – 3 Liverpool, 2001, McAllister Oh My God!

Possibly the greatest derby game of all time. One of the greatest Premier League games of all time as well. The game had everything – controversial penalties, a sending-off, 12 yellow cards, and an injury-time winner.

When everything’s going right, it will always go right. It was the year of the treble for Liverpool and every decision Gerard Houlier took – it came off. Heskey opened the scoring for the Reds only for Big Duncan Ferguson to equalise before halftime.

Markus Babel restored Liverpool’s lead and then Fowler had the chance to finish off the game from the penalty spot, he missed. Everton with the crowd behind them equalised again through a spot kick of their own, Unsworth converted the penalty. There looked like only one winner in the game but destiny had other plans.

In the 94th minute, Liverpool got a freekick 44 yards away from goal, no one is crazy enough to try and score from there let alone in a Merseyside derby and in the final minute of injury time.

Gary MacAllister was crazy enough to try that, his inch-perfect freekick caught Everton keeper Paul Gerrard out and crept in.

Liverpool’s end went into delirium and Houlier’s face after the free-kick went in was an image to see. Liverpool won arguably the greatest and craziest derby match of all time.

Honourable Mentions

• Liverpool 0 – 2 Everton, 2020 – Everton’s First Win at Anfield in Over 21 Years
• Everton 2 – 2 Liverpool, 2012 – Suarez’s Diving Celebration In Front of Moyes
• Liverpool 2 – 1 Everton, 2012 – Suarez and Carroll down the Blues in a FA Cup Semi-final
• Everton 2 – 0 Liverpool, 1994 – Big Duncan Ferguson Lifts a Dead Everton Side to a Big Win