Evertonvs.Liverpool

Had Storm Darragh not wreaked havoc on the north of England in December, the two near neighbours would have already collided at the ground for the final time before Everton head to their shiny new headquarters at Bramley-Moore Dock.

However, had the tie been played on its original date, Toffees supporters would have been denied the delightful sight of David Moyes manning the touchline for the visit of Liverpool, truly a fitting end to a 133-year Goodison Park era.

Ahead of what is sure to be an emotional Evertonian occasion, Sports Mole selects its top five Merseyside derbies ever played at Goodison Park.

5. Everton 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League | April 24, 2024)

"You lost the league at Goodison Park."

The song sung by thousands of elated Everton supporters in April 2024, when Jurgen Klopp rocked up to take charge of his final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park with the Reds on the brink of being eliminated from the Premier League title race.

The German's counterpart Sean Dyche ought to have been fuelled by a sense of injustice from their previous meeting at Anfield that season, where Ibrahima Konate controversially escaped a red card in a Liverpool triumph, but sweet vengeance was to be had for the men in blue.

Fledgling centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite added a few more pounds to his value with the opening goal in the first half, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin nodded in a Dwight McNeil corner to hammer the final nail in Liverpool's title coffin.

Liverpool's star-studded attack were found wanting on the night as Everton picked up a pivotal win in their fight against the drop, their first against the Reds on home turf for nearly 14 years.

4. Everton 3-3 Liverpool (Premier League | November 23, 2013)

The first Merseyside derby to be fought after Moyes jumped ship for Manchester United lived up to the pre-game hype, as Liverpool left it very late indeed to steal a point from a six-goal spectacular.

Two goals inside the opening eight minutes - one for Philippe Coutinho and one for Kevin Mirallas - proved to be a sign of things to come on Merseyside, where Luis Suarez also made the net bulge with fewer than 20 minutes played.

However, Brendan Rodgers's Reds did not bank on a young Romelu Lukaku launching Everton into a 3-2 lead with a 10-minute brace in the second half, and Roberto Martinez's Toffees were en route to victory as the clock ticked down to the 90.

Super sub Daniel Sturridge had other ideas, though, as just 10 minutes after being sent into the Goodison cauldron, the ex-England international met a Steven Gerrard free kick with a critical header to rescue a share of the derby spoils for the visitors.

A fourth goal for either team was not beyond the realm of possibility during an unmissable injury-time period, but Sturridge's say was final.

3. Everton 0-5 Liverpool (First Division | November 6, 1982)

The true definition of a Merseyside mauling, Bob Paisley's Liverpool - and more specifically Ian Rush - had their way with Howard Kendall's Everton in the 1982-83 First Division, hitting the Toffees for five without reply.

Paisley's men led 1-0 early doors thanks to Rush's first goal of the game, and after Everton debutant Glenn Keeley was sent of late in the first half, Liverpool smelled blood in the second period and went for the jugular.

The Reds' all-time top scorer doubled their advantage thanks to a second assist from Alan Hansen, another future Match of the Day regular - Mark Lawrenson - also got in on the act, before the ruthless Rush completed his hat-trick and added a fifth for good measure.

To date, Everton have never suffered a heavier Merseyside derby defeat at Goodison Park, while Liverpool surged to another First Division title before bidding the fondest of farewells to the legendary Paisley at the end of the season.

2. Everton 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League | April 16, 2001)

Another Goodison goal-fest, Liverpool twice went ahead on Everton's turf in April 2001 through Emile Heskey and Markus Babbel, and twice Gerard Houllier's men were pegged back.

An inspired Duncan Ferguson struck the Toffees' first leveller on the day before winning a penalty for David Unsworth to convert in the final 10 minutes of normal time, the latter showing Robbie Fowler how it is done after Liverpool's number nine fluffed his lines from the spot.

Unsworth's successful 12-yard conversion also came just six minutes after Liverpool's Igor Biscan was dismissed for two bookable offences, suggesting that if there was to be a fifth goal at the end of a captivating classic, it would surely go the way of the men in blue.

However, a certain Gary McAllister had other ideas, lining up a free kick some 44 yards from goal and somehow managing to bend a breathtaking strike into the bottom corner to snatch victory for the 10-strong Reds.

The bewildered yet beaming expression on Houllier's face told the whole story, as McAllister sprinted towards the Liverpool dugout before being mobbed by his equally euphoric teammates.

1. Everton 4-4 Liverpool (FA Cup last-16 replay | February 20, 1991)

What proved to be Kenny Dalglish's last game in his first spell as Liverpool manager was befitting of a man of his attacking qualities.

The Reds and Everton had previously shaken hands on a goalless draw at Anfield in their first 1990-91 FA Cup fifth-round tie, one that would be replayed just three days later at Goodison Park, where the Toffees exhibited tremendous powers of recovery.

Three times Liverpool went ahead in normal time, and three times Everton responded, as Tony Cottee forced extra time with the game's sixth goal in the 89th minute before John Barnes had seemingly sent the Reds through.

However, Kendall's never-say-die Everton astonishingly levelled once again through Cottee in an exhilarating 4-4 draw, one that would be decided by another replay rather than the customary penalty shootouts of day.

Dalglish would not oversee that second rematch, though - 'King Kenny' announced his stunning resignation from his post just two days later - and a Ronnie Moran-led Reds side fell to a 1-0 defeat at the same venue the next week.

Written by

Ben Knapton