Merseyside Derbies - Six of the best

It’s derby week so what better than to take a short trip down memory lane and remember some classic Liverpool victories from the Premier League era? In no particular order, here are six of the best.

Liverpool 3-2 Everton 3/4/99 - Given Liverpool’s good run of results in derby matches over the past 15 years or so, it may come as a surprise to younger Reds fans that this hard fought victory was actually their team’s first win in ten meetings with their blue brethren.  The game is widely remembered for Robbie Fowler’s line sniffing celebration (or ‘eating the grass’ as Gerard Houllier put it) but it was fantastic game all round and started a seismic shift in derby results. Everton took the lead in the very first minute of the game when Olivier Dacourt fired an incredible 30 yard half volley into the top corner of the Kop net to leave Anfield with a then familiar sinking feeling on derby day. Liverpool responded though and their captain Paul Ince was fouled in the box after quarter of an hour which allowed Fowler to convert and taunt his tormentors with his infamous celebration.

An 18 year old Steven Gerrard celebrates with Patrik Berger

Just 6 minutes later, Fowler would put Liverpool into the lead with his 6th goal in 5 derbies when he headed home from a Patrik Berger corner that Steven McManaman had helped on at the near post. Steven Gerrard was introduced for Vegard Heggem for his first taste of derby football aged just 18 after 71 minutes before Berger made it 3-1 to Liverpool with a volley 8 minutes from time. Francis Jeffers gave Everton a glimmer of hope just 2 minutes later with a lovely spin and finish in the box to make it 3-2. In the final minute, David James went walkabout outside his area and the ball eventually dropped to Danny Cadamarteri in the Liverpool box. The young Everton striker looked sure to gain his side a share of the spoils but his strike was repelled on the goal line by the fresh faced Gerrard whose clearance won Liverpool the game. It wasn’t to be the last time Evertonians would bemoan a decisive derby intervention by the young man from Huyton….

Everton 1-3 Liverpool 28/12/05 - Just 3 days after Christmas, Liverpool gave their fans a belated seasonal gift with one of their most dominant performances at Goodison Park in recent memory. Rafael Benitez’s side made it 9 league wins in a row on a freezing cold night where the gulf in class between the two teams was frankly, huge. The reigning European champions took the lead through Peter Crouch after just 10 minutes when the striker finished off a fine passing move by rounding Nigel Martyn and slipping the ball into an unguarded net. Liverpool’s superiority was rewarded further just 7 minutes later when Steven Gerrard fired in from 20 yards with the aid of a deflection off Joseph Yobo. At this point it looked like like Liverpool would win at a canter but a James Beattie header got Everton back into the game before half time.

Peter Crouch and team mates celebrate the striker's opening goal

After the break though, Liverpool reasserted their dominance quickly. Djibril Cisse forced his way past David Weir two minutes into the second half before curling an exquisite shot into the far corner and celebrating wildly in front of the jubilant away supporters. Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta were both sent off with the score at  3-1 to complete a miserable night for Everton. As disappointing as this result was though, worse was to follow for the Blues in the return match at Anfield that season…..

Liverpool 3-1 Everton 25/3/06 - Liverpool again ran out comfortable winners in this match despite losing their captain early on. Steven Gerrard received two bookings within a matter of seconds in the 18th minute of the first half to leave the travelling Evertonians jubilant in the Anfield Road End. The Blues’ supporters cheered the dismissal of Gerrard like a goal and waved off the Liverpool skipper, confident of securing a first win at Anfield since 1999 with Liverpool down to ten men. In first half stoppage time however, Phil Neville put through his own goal with from a Liverpool corner and from that moment, the whole game turned on it’s head with Xabi Alonso putting in one of his best performances in a Liverpool shirt as he dictated the game despite his side’s numerical disadvantage.

Steven Gerrard departs after his early red card

Luis Garcia scored just after half time, racing on to a long ball from Pepe Reina that Peter Crouch flicked on and lobbing Richard Wright at the Kop end before Tim Cahill brought Everton back into the match with a headed goal from a corner. The Blues’ revival was short lived however, as Andy van der Meyde was sent off for an elbow on Alonso which made it 10 vs 10.  Harry Kewell wrapped up the three points with a wonderful 25 yard effort to take Liverpool into second place in the Premier League table after denying David Moyes an Anfield victory once again.  

Liverpool 2-1 Everton 14/3/94 - The last derby played in front of the world renowned standing Spion Kop was also Roy Evans’ first as Liverpool manager. Dave Watson’s headed goal on 21 minutes suggested that Everton, managed by Mike Walker, may just spoil the Anfield party as Liverpool fell behind. The Blues’ bubble was immediately burst though as just 30 seconds later, with Sky television still playing replays of Watson’s opener, Everton’s bete noire Ian Rush made it 1-1 with a volley to capture his 25th goal in Merseyside derbies. Legendary Everton keeper Neville Southall had to pick the ball out of his net again just before half time when Robbie Fowler sprung the offside trap and finished low into the far corner as he bore down on goal.  It was the last derby goal ever scored in front of the standing Kop and, fittingly, the winning goal also.

The now departed standing Spion Kop 

Everton 2-3 Liverpool 16/4/01 -’The Gary Mac’ derby. Not much else needs to be said, but it’s always nice to look back on this modern classic. Gerard Houllier’s Liverpool team took the lead through Emile Heskey before Duncan Ferguson rammed home an equaliser for the home side. The Reds went back in front after a wonderful finish from German full back Markus Babbel before Robbie Fowler hit the post with a penalty and cult figure Igor Biscan received his marching orders for a second yellow card. Everton looked set to grab a point when they levelled again with a David Unsworth penalty and it looked like Houllier’s men would have to try and hang on for the draw.

Gary McAllister and Jamie Carragher celebrate 'that goal'

Deep, deep into stoppage time though, Gregory Vignal was fouled just inside the Everton half and after stealing ten yards or so, Gary McAllister stepped up to steer a 44 yard free kick into the bottom corner of Paul Gerard’s net to write himself into derby folklore. The victory was a catalyst for Liverpool who went on to secure a unique treble (League Cup, F.A Cup and Uefa Cup) and qualify for the Champions League.

Liverpool 2-1 Everton 14/4/12 - A league cup title aside, this was the undoubted highlight of Kenny Dalglish’s second stint as Liverpool manager. Going into the game Everton were widely considered the favourites as Liverpool’s league form had nose dived since the turn of the year. Before the game an impeccable minute’s silence was held to honour the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy, and both sets of fans were rightly acclaimed for their behaviour during the biggest derby in years. After a scrappy opening, Everton went ahead when Nikica Jelavic took advantage of a mix up between Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher after 24 minutes and steered calmly past Brad Jones who was deputising for the suspended Pepe Reina and Alexander Doni in the Liverpool goal. All was going to plan for David Moyes’ side until a catastrophic mistake from Sylvain Distin swung the game in Liverpool’s favour.

Liverpool's match winner celebrate their semi final victory

Under little pressure out on the left wing, Everton’s centre half attempted to play the ball back to goalkeeper Tim Howard but underhit the pass woefully which allowed Luis Suarez to equalise with ease as the red half of Wembley erupted. With the game still level in the 87th minute, Liverpool’s unlikely hero would be Andy Carroll who, despite having missed the easiest chance of the game just after half time, rose to head home Craig Bellamy’s inswinging free kick to earn his side a place in the final. Chelsea would overcome Liverpool 2-1 in that final but despite that ultimate disappointment, this was a day that will be remembered fondly by Liverpool supporters and especially in the Dalglish household.