Over the years, Merseyside derbies have brought the city of Liverpool to a standstill and this year the importance of the derby is at its peak. A derby match can make or break a player’s career and the hostility is sensed throughout the city before the fixture.
This first Merseyside derby of the season carries extra importance as the tables seem to have turned. Liverpool endured their worst evenings against Everton which saw them lose 7-2. On the other hand high flying Everton are enjoying their best ever campaign in recent years under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti.
In the last 10 years Everton have won only once against their rivals, with Liverpool completely dominating the contests. However a derby can bring out the very best of a player and form, past record count for very little.
We take a look at the Top 5 Merseyside derbies in the Premier League which left the fans wanting for more.
1. Liverpool 1 – 0 Everton (2018-19):
This meeting between the red and blue half of Merseyside will forever be remembered for Jordan Pickford’s horror show. Liverpool entered the match as clear favorites in front of a packed Anfield crowd. With Liverpool’s high tempo game, Everton decided to sit back and soak in the pressure defensively. They held Liverpool at 0-0 until the 96th minute but all their efforts were undone by a mistake by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as he failed to collect a regular floated ball and fell kindly for Divock Origi who scored the simplest of goals to win the contest for Liverpool and both Kloop and the Kop into frenzy.
2. Everton 3 – 3 Liverpool (2013-14):
One of the best derby matches of all time came during Liverpool’s visit to Goodison Park in the 2013-14 season. Liverpool were enjoying a brilliant campaign under Brendan Rodgers and Everton were trying to become a force to reckon with. What transpired next was an exhilarating contest which will long remain in the hearts of every supporter.
In the fifth minute mark, Coutinho gave Liverpool the lead , but Everton responded with Kevin Mirallas grabbing the equalizer. Goals from star strikers Luis Suarez and Romelu Lukaku leveled the contest at 2-2. Lukaku in the 82nd minute took the lead for Everton but the joy was short-lived for Everton supporters as Daniel Sturridge left it late, scoring an equalizer in the 89th minute. The game ended 3-3 with both the teams satisfied with the result in an end to end game.
3. Liverpool 3 – 2 Everton (1998-99):
This match will forever be remembered for the introduction of Steven Gerrard as a teenager. In April 1999, Liverpool welcomed Everton to Anfield in what was another end to end affair between the two teams. With the score 3-2 in favor of Liverpool, Everton pressed late on for an equalizer. Liverpool goalkeeper David James looked shaky as Everton piled on the pressure. James was beaten on two occasions but Steven Gerrard stepped up to make two vital goal-line clearances and forever cement his name in derby folklore.
Fun Fact: Steven Gerrard played the match as a right-back!!
4. Everton 2- 0 Liverpool (2010-11)
The only win for Everton in the last decade came in this contest at Goodison Park. The 2010-11 season was a tough one for Liverpool as a change in ownership and management brought many challenges. Everton took full advantage of the situation and took the game to Liverpool.
Tim Cahill gave Everton the lead and the lead was doubled with a sublime strike by Mikel Arteta. The win for Everton gave them some much needed relief and in turn piled on the pressure on Liverpool. Everton fans are still enjoying the win over their bitter rivals!
5. Liverpool 3- 1 Everton (2005-06)
Liverpool won the contest 3-1 even though they lost their captain fantastic Steven Gerrard to a red card within the first 18 minutes of the match. The Liverpool players dug in against an Everton side lacking in quality. Ex Manchester United player Phil Neville scored an own goal and Luis Garcia doubled the lead for the Reds. Tim Cahill pulled one back for Everton but Australian Harry Kewell sealed the deal for Liverpool in the 84th minute and handed Liverpool a victory against their bitter rivals.
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