The Merseyside derby, one of the oldest rivalries in English football, is slowly becoming exciting again after a period of dull one-sided affairs. Everton, under Carlo Ancelotti, has become a feared unit with famed internationals such as James Rodriguez, Richarlison and Sigurdsson performing consistently. On the other hand, Liverpool are struggling for form but the Champions League victory over RB Leipzig could prove to be some inspiration before the Saturday night clash against Everton. In this article, as a prelude to the derby, we look at five exciting contests between the famed rivals,
5. Liverpool 3 – 0 Everton, 13 March 2012
This match will forever be remembered as one of Gerrard’s greatest premier league nights as he put up a stunning performance in the Merseyside derby. His first goal was a sublime flick from outside the box with his weaker left foot which surprised everyone in the stadium.
He bagged his second as a piercing run from a young Luis Suárez left him in some space, and he thumped the ball into the net. In the last minute of the game, he showed the hunger to win the ball back and completed a neat counter-attack to bag a hat-trick.
4. Liverpool 2 – 1 Everton, 21 April 2012
In the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, Liverpool came back from a goal behind to beat Everton and progress to the Final. Nikica Jelavic, who was in fine form, opened the scoring for the visitors after a defensive lapse from the experienced Jamie Carragher.
A disastrous back pass led to the Liverpool equalizer as Suarez capitalized on the error. Andy Carroll, Liverpool’s record signing gave them the lead with just two minutes left on the clock with a header and compromised for a slew of misses throughout the game.
3. Liverpool 2 – 1 Everton, 5 January 2018
This match broke the trend of slow, boring and one-sided Merseyside derbies as Everton showed a lot of character to remain in the game until the dying minutes. Adam Lallana won a penalty and Milner converted it clinically A scintillating counter-attack from Everton led to the equalizer as Sigurdsson placed the ball neatly into the corner after some splendid passing.
In his debut for Liverpool, the towering defender Virgil Van Dijk scored a bullish header, a goal similar to the one Carroll scored at Wembley, to win the game for Liverpool.
2. Liverpool 2 – 2 Everton, 17 October 2020
This game was a season-defining one for Liverpool as Van Dijk’s injury delivered a huge blow to their chances of defending the league. Mane opened the scoring after some good work from Andy Robertson down the left-wing.
Keane scored a header to level the score before Salah’s powerful half volley gave Liverpool the lead once again. Calvert-Lewin scored a trademark header and VAR drama followed as Henderson’s winner was ruled out for a very tight offside.
1. Liverpool 3 – 3 Everton, 23 November 2013
Rodgers’ Liverpool were going for the title this season as their attack looked unstoppable at times. Coutinho scored the opening goal from a set-piece. Mirallas scored the equalizer soon after Liverpool failed to clear an incoming cross.
Suarez scored a magnificent free-kick from thirty yards out to give Liverpool the lead again. Lukaku continued his stunning form by scoring Everton’s second goal and gave Everton the lead with yet another header. Daniel Sturridge scored the sixth set-piece goal of the game to as the contest ended in a draw.
