Liverpool v Everton Rivalry

The football rivalry between Liverpool and Everton is known as the Merseyside derby. Since 1955, the Liverpool/Everton fixtures have been referred to in this manner. The teams, both of which are from Liverpool, have been battling since 13 October 1894. Liverpool’s home pitch is Anfield, while Everton calls Goodison Park its home.

The rivalry between these two teams has traditionally been amiable. So much so that for years the fans of each team mixed together in the stands. There was no need to segregate Liverpool and Everton supporters, which is often done by other teams in order to disarm violent situations before they develop. Although it is still one of the few derbies that does not enforce fan segregation, the battles on the pitch have intensified and the Merseyside derby has, as of late, seen more red cards than any other Premier League rivalry.

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Statistics and Records

The first fixture between the Reds and Everton in 1894 was played on Everton’s home pitch. The home team won by a score of 3-0. The clubs have met a total of 226 times. Liverpool leads the derby with 89 wins, while Everton has 66. There have been 71 draws.

Because these teams have met so much, they hold numerous all-time derby records. Derby records include: the longest unbeaten game run in all matches (14 Everton between 1941-41 and 1951-52), longest unbeaten game run in home matches (14 Liverpool between 1970-71 and 1984-85 and between 2000-01 and 2013-14), and longest unbeaten game run away (16 Everton between 1899 and 1920).

Records specific to the Merseyside derby include biggest away win (5-0 recorded by both teams), highest scoring match (1932-33 Liverpool 4 Everton 4 at Anfield), and biggest at home win (1935-36 Liverpool 6 Everton 0). Liverpool’s Ian Rush has the most goals of any player in this derby. That record stands at 25.

Liverpool has amassed a total of 48 domestic honors and titles and 11 international for a total of 59. Everton’s totals are 23 domestic and one international title, which total 24. The one international crown that the Toffees have won, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, has never been won by Liverpool. Liverpool has taken 3 UEFA Cups, 5 European Cups, and 3 European Super Cups. In England, they have won 18 league titles, 7 FA Cups, and 8 League Cups. Everton has accumulated 9 league crowns and 5 FA Cups. They have never won a League Cup.

Important Games, Players and Managers

Over the past two decades, the derbies between the Reds and the Toffees have become quite contentious. Disputes, aggressive behavior, and unsportsmanlike conduct have greatly increased. Games are often defined by controversy related to referee calls or inappropriate player action.

The October 2007 fixture between the two football clubs serves as a good example of contentious player behavior. The match, which Liverpool won 2-1, included a Tony Hibbert send off for a penalty that was aggressively argued and an angry Everton diatribe for a Jamie Carragher penalty.

Some highlights related to this derby include the February 2009 FA Cup 4th round replay. With Liverpool and Everton locked in a 0–0 draw, the game was in extra time. Dan Gosling, a teen sub for Everton, scored a highly dramatic winning goal at minute 118. That score enabled the Toffees to get to their first FA final in 15 years.

The April 2012 FA Cup semi-final saw Liverpool win the first Merseyside derby to be played at the new Wembley. The Toffees took the early lead as Nikica Jelavic scored a first half goal. At the midpoint of the second, Luis Suárez notched a score for Liverpool. Then, at the 87th minute, Andy Carroll knocked in the winner with a supreme header. The final score was Liverpool two and Everton one.

The final score of 4-0 during the fixture played on 28 January 2014 gave Liverpool its largest Premier League win ever against Everton. In the first half, the Reds took complete control and got a goal from Steven Gerrard and two from Daniel Sturridge. In the second, Luis Suárez scored the fourth goal, and Sturridge just missed a penalty that went over the cross bar.

Longest Running for a Reason

The Liverpool and Everton football rivalry is an example of a longtime and ongoing competition that, for much of its existence, has been defined by good sportsmanship, solid fan loyalty, and professional behavior. Although aggressive, disputed, and argumentative matches have, at times, marked the Merseyside Derby, it is still a hallmark Premier League rivalry.

ARIS