Liverpool vs Everton: Top 5 Merseyside derbies in recent history

Liverpool and Everton have played some classics against each other
Liverpool and Everton have played some classics against each other

There are a few derbies in the Premier League leagues that can be as enthralling as the Merseyside derby. Liverpool and Everton have played out a whole bunch of thrillers, with unrivalled passion and fierce competitiveness. This Sunday will be the next instalment in a story with many twists and turns, filled with countless memorable moments. From the 1980s, when both clubs were the best in the land, to this current time, which has been primarily Liverpool's.

However, Everton has come up with some inspired performances in these games, almost coming away with the victory at Goodison Park last season. The Toffees last beat Liverpool in 2010, when Roy Hodgson was Reds manager, but have come close on multiple occasions since. It is always a treat to watch, with inspired performances at either end accompanied by the will to win, like few other games. No other game has seen more red cards in the Premier League era.

Matches between the two neighbouring rivals have proved to be extremely entertaining in the past. They range from cup semi-finals to high-pressure league games, to absolute thrashings. These are five recent Merseyside derbies that will be remembered long in the memory of fans of either Liverpool or Everton, or possibly both.


#5 Liverpool 4-0 Everton (2015-16)

What a thumping this was.
What a thumping this was.

Liverpool had undergone a resurgence of sorts under Jurgen Klopp in the 2015-16 season. The German took over as manager after Brendan Rodgers was sacked following a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in October. It would be the Everton manager who was sacked after the Merseyside derby this time.

The Reds, in the middle of their inspiring run to the Europa League final, found the time to teach their Blue neighbours a footballing lesson. It was probably their best performance of the entire league season.

Divock Origi and Mamadou Sakho, with his final ever touch as a Red, scored first-half headers to give Liverpool a comfortable 2-0 lead. After the break, it was constant domination from Klopp's men. Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho rounded out an emphatic victory. But they could have scored more, much more.

Everton's Funes Mori was sent off in typical derby fashion for injuring Origi, with it being the only dampener on an otherwise perfect evening. The Reds’ 41 attempts on goal to Everton's 3 just proves how dominant they really were here.

#4 Liverpool 2-2 Everton (2010-11)

This kickstarted King Kenny's second managerial reign at Anfield.
This kickstarted King Kenny's second managerial reign at Anfield.

The last time Everton beat Liverpool was in October 2010. It was the Reds’ first game under their current ownership and Roy Hodgson was still the manager. He would no longer be the boss when the Toffees visited Anfield three months later.

Sir Kenny Dalglish was given the caretaker job until the end of the season, to steady the ship. He did that brilliantly, with it all kicking off in the Merseyside derby. Liverpool may not have won, but it was an encouraging sign for the King and his players.

Raul Meireles scored his first Liverpool goal to make it 1-0 at half-time, but Everton turned it around in the second half with goals from Sylvain Distin and Jermaine Beckford. Just when it looked like the Blues would do the double over their fierce rivals, Dirk Kuyt stepped up and scored from the spot to equalise.

It was an entertaining game littered with chances and any team could have won. This was certainly the biggest threat to Liverpool's current unbeaten run at Anfield against Everton.

#3 Everton 1-2 Liverpool (2007-08)

This was one of the most dramatic derbies ever.
This was one of the most dramatic derbies ever.

What a game this was. Possibly the most controversial and dramatic Merseyside derby in recent memory. Everton welcomed Liverpool looking to build on their fantastic performances against them in the previous season. They beat the Reds 3-0 in 2006-07 and were confident of doing the same in this game.

The Blues got the perfect start when Sami Hyypia scored a calamitous own goal to give them the lead. Liverpool, who were without the talismanic Fernando Torres, had to dig deep to get something out of this game. And they did, in extraordinary circumstances.

Steven Gerrard was brought down in the box by Tony Hibbert to earn a penalty, while Hibbert was sent off. Dirk Kuyt coolly finished it off. Then, in the 92nd minute, a blatant handball from Phil Neville denied Lucas Leiva his first Reds goal and the undoubted game clincher.

He would also get red carded, before Kuyt stepped up again to win the game for Liverpool. There was even further drama in this game when Jamie Carragher clearly brought down Joleon Lescott in the penalty area, but no penalty was given. It was a lucky escape for the Reds and a controversial end to a really wild game.

#2 Liverpool 2-1 Everton (2011-12)

An extremely memorable day at Wembley.
An extremely memorable day at Wembley.

This was the highest stakes game between Liverpool and Everton in the past decade or two. A place in the FA Cup awaited the winner. Everton, for once in the derby, were heavy favourites after an impressive run of form which saw them overtake Liverpool in the Premier League table.

The Reds were really struggling. Their league season had fallen apart. They were short on wins, short on goals and short on confidence. Their first and second choice goalkeepers were both suspended after red cards, leaving Brad Jones to start this crunch game.

Everton got off to the perfect start, when Nikica Jelavic pounced on a miscommunication in the Liverpool defence to make it 1-0. However, Dalglish's men turned it on after the break. Luis Suarez capitalised on a terrible back pass to equalise and bring the game back in the balance. It was tight and intense.

Anyone could have won the day. It would turn out to be £35 million pound man Andy Carroll, who scored a £35 million pound goal. His last-minute header from a Craig Bellamy free-kick broke Blue hearts and took Liverpool to their second domestic cup final of the season. What a moment this was.

#1 Everton 3-3 Liverpool (2013-14)

This was a true Premier League classic.
This was a true Premier League classic.

2013-14 might be the best Premier League season for both Merseyside clubs collectively, with Liverpool coming so close to the title and Everton pushing hard for the top four. They were both flying high when they faced each other at Goodison Park a little over five years ago.

The start was fast and emphatic, with goals from Philippe Coutinho and Kevin Mirallas making it 1-1 inside ten minutes. A spectacular Luis Suarez free kick would make it 2-1, as he curled the ball beautifully around the wall. Liverpool seemed to be in control, but not for long.

The second half saw the Toffees dominate with full force, as they kept Simon Mignolet busy throughout the lunchtime game. Eventually, Romelu Lukaku stepped up and scored an impressive brace to give Everton a 3-2 lead with less than ten minutes to go. The Reds seemed down and out, but their elite mentality proved otherwise.

In the 89th minute, substitute Daniel Sturridge stepped up big time and headed home from a perfect Steven Gerrard free kick. It was a fitting end to an enthralling game that captivated fans of not only Liverpool and Everton, but fans of the Premier League all over the world.

This still stands strong as a legendary game and a true Premier League classic.

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Edited by Sripad