The Merseyside Derby between local rivals Liverpool and Everton may be dubbed the “friendly derby”, but there’s no love lost when the Reds and Toffees share the football field.
We look back at some memorable Merseyside Derby moments and the head-to-head record between in this Liverpool vs Everton rivalry report. You will also find a guide on how to bet on the Merseyside Derby in the 2023-24 season.
Liverpool
Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in world football. The Reds have enjoyed plenty of domestic and European success over the years, winning 19 top-tier titles and six European Cups.
Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions for the first time in their history in 2020. They won a staggering 32 of 38 league games under Jurgen Klopp, finishing the season with 99 points.
In Europe, Liverpool is the most successful English club to the joy of Liverpool fans. They have won UEFA’s elite club competition on six occasions, most recently beating Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. Only Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Barcelona have won more European titles.
Liverpool have an excellent academy, with several players coming through the ranks to become world-class players. The likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are standout academy graduates.
The Reds have had a whole host of top managers throughout the years. Klopp has been very successful during his tenure, guiding Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League titles. Gerard Houllier, Rafael Benitez, Bill Shankly, and Bob Paisley are also heroes at Anfield.
Liverpool are also one of the best-supported clubs, with millions of fans worldwide. According to recent studies, only Manchester United has a larger fanbase.
Everton
Although Everton have not enjoyed as much success as their neighbours, the Toffees are still a huge club with loyal Everton fans. They have been champions of England on nine occasions, with the last title coming in 1987.
Everton have never made an impact in Europe, with the 1984-85 Cup Winners’ Cup success being their only European trophy to date. Domestically, however, the Blues have won five FA Cups and have been runners-up eight times.
It’s been a struggle for Everton over the last few years, with the club having to fend off the threat of relegation to the EFL Championship. They survived by the skin of their teeth in the 2022-23 season, finishing just two points above 18th place.
Several top players have worn the famous blue jersey throughout the years, including Alan Ball, Dixie Dean, Howard Kendall, and Joe Mercer. More recently, the likes of Leighton Baines and Wayne Rooney have lit up Goodison Park.
Howard Kendall is arguably the greatest manager that Everton have ever had. He guided the Toffees to two titles, one FA Cup, and the 1985 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Other notable managers are Carlo Ancelotti, Joe Royle, David Moyes, and Ronald Koeman.
History of the Merseyside Derby
The Merseyside Derby is the oldest in English football. The first-ever match between Liverpool and Everton came back in 1894, which Everton won by three goals to nil.
The matchup has been known as the “friendly derby” for decades, but don’t let that fool you. There have been more red cards given in the Merseyside Derby than in any other Premier League fixture. The rivalry has intensified over the years, and there have been numerous heated moments between the neighbours on the pitch.
The derby between the local rivals dates back to the 19th century. From 1884, Everton played their home games at Anfield. However, when they vacated the stadium in 1892, Liverpool formed and made Anfield their home.
The pair are incredibly close in geography, as only one mile separates Anfield and Goodison Park. Liverpool may be the bigger club these days, but the Everton faithful enjoy the underdog tag, and the Toffees recently ended a long winless run at the home of their rivals, picking up a 2-0 victory at Anfield in February 2021.
Classic Merseyside Derby Moments
The Merseyside Derby remains one of the biggest fixtures in English football, and we have been treated to countless memorable moments over the years.
Steven Gerrard is arguably Liverpool’s greatest-ever player. After coming through the youth system, Gerrard broke into the team and went on to play over 500 Premier League games for his beloved Reds.
One of the most memorable Merseyside Derby moments was Gerrard’s sensational hattrick in 2012. Coincidentally, it was also his 400th league appearance for Liverpool. The Reds picked up a 3-0 win at Anfield, with captain Gerrard scoring all three.
Three goals in a Merseyside Derby is great and all, but Ian Rush went one better and scored four against the Toffees in a memorable league fixture in 1982. Liverpool wiped the floor with their rivals, with Rush netting four goals in a 5-0 rout at Goodison Park.
One of the most dramatic all-Merseyside affairs came in 1991, as the teams shared the spoils in an eight-goal thriller at Goodison. Tony Cottee came off the bench to score two late goals and rescue an unlikely point for the Toffees.
Another great Merseyside Derby moment was the 1984 League Cup final. It was nicknamed the “friendly final” as most of Wembley Stadium was mixed with both sets of fans. The match ended 0-0 at Wembley, and Liverpool won the replay 1-0 at Maine Road.
The Merseyside Derby Today
The Merseyside Derby is still one of the biggest matches in world football today. Liverpool and Everton are two of the six ever-present Premier League sides, so they have met home and away during every Premier League season.
In the 2022-23 campaign, both sides underachieved. Liverpool missed out on the Champions League, while Everton narrowly avoided the drop. The game at Goodison ended in a goalless draw in September 2022. Several months later, Liverpool picked up a 2-0 win at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo getting the goals.
The rivals will meet at least twice in the 2023-24 season. The first Merseyside derby of the campaign is scheduled to take place at Anfield in October 2023, and the reverse fixture at Goodison is set for March 2024.
Betting on the Merseyside Derby
At talkSPORT BET, you can bet on all 380 Premier League fixtures per season, including both Merseyside Derbies. When the fixtures come around, you can place a wager on the match result, correct score, over/under goals, both teams to score, first goalscorer, and much more. In-play betting options will also be available.
You can place outright Premier League bets with us. You can back the league winner before or during the season, bet on teams to be relegated, and predict the top scorer. The Toffees are hoping to avoid the drop, while Liverpool will be pushing for a top-four spot.
Before placing your Merseyside Derby picks, make sure to do your research on head-to-head records, the latest injury news, and the current form guide. Also, look out for football offers throughout the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
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Head-To-Head Comparison
Liverpool and Everton have met a total of 242 times, with Liverpool picking up 98 wins to Everton’s 67. The Reds have the edge and have dominated the Merseyside Derby in recent times.
In the Premier League era, Liverpool have won 27 of the 62 meetings. Everton have claimed just ten league wins over the Reds since the Premier League’s inception in 1992. The longest unbeaten run in the derby was 23 games, which Liverpool achieved from 2010 to 2021. The Toffees ended the run with a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
Everton’s prior victory before the 2021 success was a 2-0 triumph at Goodison Park in 2010. Their previous win at Anfield was way back in 1999. It’s fair to say that Liverpool have had Everton’s number in recent meetings and have enjoyed the Merseyside Derby moreover the years.
