The city of Liverpool has given the world many great things down the years, The Beatles, two huge football clubs, the RSPCA, Cilla Black and so on. The Beatles may have gone their separate ways many years ago but the battle between both sides of Stanley Park goes on.
The success of both clubs down the years has led to many Mersey Ferry sized clashes, both in league and cup competitions. This Father’s Day, Sunday, is the next date in the diary for the ‘Friendly Derby’, the name given due to the previous apparent lack of segregation required within the stands.
Ahead of what could be a memorable derby for so many reasons I’ve had a look back at some of the records and moments down the years. With some dodgy Beatles song references along the way…
Scenario
Back in March, it seemed as if nothing could stop a Liverpool procession to the title. Fast forward almost three months and football is finally back. Twice weekly tests on players and staff among a magnitude of restrictions on the return of the beautiful game. Most notably of which will be the stark absence of supporters.
Facts
This year’s clash at Goodison Park will be the first-ever Merseyside Derby to take place in June. An early evening kick-off means the players shouldn’t be falling into any golden slumbers.
The two teams have clashed on 12 occasions at neutral venues and until recent intervention, that number could’ve been increased. The rescheduled fixture was originally earmarked as a potential clash that could be moved away from Merseyside, given the potential ramifications.
History of attendance
This week’s clash will be a Merseyside Derby behind closed doors; the first of it’s kind. Not in the fixture’s 132-year history has such a thing be witnessed, or not witnessed in this case. Nobody will, in fact, be standing there.
The lowest recorded attendance prior to the upcoming zero was way back in 1901. On the 19th January, a crowd of just 18,000 were at Anfield to witness a 2-1 Everton win in the old Division One. The match was so poorly attended according to historical records, due to persistent torrential rain. By full-time the players trudged off the pitch into the changing rooms, they could’ve done with a yellow submarine.
In contrast, the biggest crowd came at Goodison in 1948. Back in the days when you could see people standing there, a bumper 78,599 packed into the ‘Old Lady’ to witness a 1-1 draw. On a far more friendly day weather-wise, Jock Dodds scored for Everton and Willie Fagan for the visiting Reds.
Trophies
Both clubs have had spells where the trophy room was used so often, it may as well of been left open. Liverpool and Everton had successful spells throughout the ’60s, 70s and 80s, arguably two of the best clubs in world football at stages during these decades.
In recent times, Liverpool have begun collecting trophies once more. On the other hand, Everton are in the midst of a wait for some silverware. It has been 25 years since the lifted the FA Cup, their last trophy.
Overall
Everton fans won’t need reminding the recent fixtures have been dominated by Liverpool, particularly at Anfield. Helped at times by late goals, crossbars and wonder strikes, the Reds have held a stranglehold on the fixture recently. In years gone by ,the derbies have commonly been tightly fought contests, with no team dominating for too long a spell.
October will mark 10 years since Everton last beat Liverpool, should they not put it right beforehand. This is the longest unbeaten run by either side in the history of the derby, 22 games and counting. It’s been almost 21 years since they won at Anfield. An away victory is something Everton will be hoping to get back sooner rather than later.
Everton under new ownership will be looking to bridge the apparent gap between the two clubs. Separated by a walkable distance in reality but seemingly miles away on the field.
Money can’t buy anybody love, but can it buy a more competitive football team.
Iconic Matches
All you need is Rush! In 1982 Liverpool inflicted the heaviest defeat in the fixture since 1914. Striker Ian Rush scoring four and Mark Lawrenson the other as the reds headed back over the park after putting five past their rivals. A five-nil away with matched the feat set by Everton back in 1914 when they beat the reds 5-0 at Anfield.
In September 2006, Everton dismantled Liverpool at Goodison Park, running out 3-0 winners with goals from Tim Cahill and two from striker Andy Johnson.
Crossing the Park
A total of 43 players have represented both Liverpool and Everton down the years, many of whom made the switch directly between the two clubs. A move that has become less and less frequent as time has passed by.
Portuguese midfielder Abel Xavier was the last player to make the switch back in 2002 when he left swapped Goodison for Liverpool. He is, to this day the only person, to ever play in the derby for both teams in the same season.
Only two players have ever scored for both sides in the fixture. David Johnson and Peter Beardsley achieving this across their spells with both clubs.
Records
Within the current squads, the current top Merseyside derby scorer is cult hero Divock Origi with five. Getting important iconic goals, often from the bench has been a factor in making Origi a popular figure with the red half of Merseyside.
Rush just pips Dixie Dean to most all-time derby goals. The Welshman with 20 in all competitions to Everton Scotsman Dixie’s 19.
Despite being tagged ‘the friendly derby’, the Merseyside clash has seen the most red cards of any grudge match in top-flight history. In all, 21 red cards have been dished out, former captains Steven Gerrard and Phil Neville respectively, have both seen red twice in the derby.
Although nobody will be coming together for this one, it is still sure to bring the city to a standstill. For all the right reasons.
