Blood, Sweat, and Blues: The Merseyside Derby History

Another pillar in the Merseyside derby history has been reached as the final Merseyside derby was played at Goodison on 12th February. The game saw a 2 – 2 draw, a hint of irony over the long-standing rivalry with neither team coming out on top in the long-anticipated match. At TangoBet, we have a vested interest in the rich history of this iconic rivalry. As a significant change comes their way with Everton’s new stadium on the brink of completion, this blog will take a deep dive into the roots of the relationship, comparing key stats from both teams across the derby matches in years gone by and what the future of the rivalry looks like in terms of betting. 

Everton v Liverpool, The Early Days

As any long-standing rivalry starts, a once-united team sparked the one between the two clubs. Everton club officials landed themselves in a dispute with the club’s landlord, John Houlding, in 1892, leading to the move to Goodison. In retaliation, Houlding started Liverpool FC, breathing life into the rivalry that has continued to carry momentum over the last 130 years. 

Soon after, in 1894, the first Merseyside derby took place at Goodison. With a home win of 3-0, Everton secured their position at the top of the league, going unbeaten throughout the season. The atmosphere in the crowd was felt even then, and tension was now felt in all crevices of the city. 

A Raw Merseyside Derby History

It’s challenging to find moments when the city of Liverpool truly becomes one in the presence of such an intense rivalry. However, not to be questioned is how both sides came together after the Hillsborough disaster 1989. The derby match just weeks later saw both teams wearing black armbands as a gesture of respect to the victims. In a most moving gesture, we recognise the Mile of Scarves, started by Everton’s Ian Snodin tying a scarf to the gates of Goodison. The chain continued until it reached the gates of Anfield to the kop. It’s a credit to both clubs that they show their fans the importance of unity and support across the city in times of need. 

Will There Ever Be a Clear Winner?

At Goodison Park, a total of 119 derbies have taken place. The closeness in total goals scored reflects the strict traction between the clubs, with Everton scoring 141 and Liverpool 147. When considering the premier league, the Reds retake the win with 38 goals versus a close 33. 

However, the victories have been met with countless draws, 37 out of the 119 Goodison games. A draw to both teams’ dedicated fans often causes a blow as brutal as a loss. The will to come out on top and reign supreme has kept the rivalry burning alive for so long, the jeopardy of each season adding more fuel to the fire.

To argue in line with the stats, if we were to put our TangoBets on who had been the most successful club throughout the rivalry, our slips would be painted red. However, the tides are changing across both clubs. A state-of-the-art ground for the Blues and the loss of Klopp for Liverpool paves the way for an uncertain trajectory to victory. 

Red Cards and Counting

The significance of the rivalry is evident in the number of red cards issued and the fans’ wide-felt tension carried over to the pitch. The derby has the record for the most red cards shown in Premier League history, with 37 players sent off since 1997.

Phil Neville and Steven Gerrard received the most red cards, each being sent off twice. Neville was sent off in home matches in 2005 and 2007, while Gerrard left the pitch in 1999 and 2006, both Liverpool home games. 

Goal Scoring and Scores Drawing  

Whilst the Merseyside derby history sees the highest number of drawn matches in the premier league (and the highest scoring derby, in 1991, the teams drew 4-4 in the FA Cup!), it’s time to take a look at the Merseyside derby star players. 

While Mo Salah has undoubtedly made history for Liverpool as a right-winger in recent years, Ian Rush holds the title for the most goals scored across the derbies, scoring 25. He’s followed by no other than Dixie Dean, who scored 18 goals for Everton. 

Memorable Merseyside Derby Moments 

In one of Liverpool’s most iconic seasons featuring their second treble win, one of the highlights of their season played out over a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Gary McAllister went rogue from his expected cross and decided to shoot. He bent the ball into the bottom corner before Everton’s keeper, Paul Gerrard, even got the opportunity to get across his line to defend the goal. This came when Liverpool fans were ready to admit defeat following Igor Biscan’s red card and Fowler’s missed penalty. 

Goodison isn’t the only home for iconic derby moments. In September 2014, Everton spun a win that was arguably one of the biggest plot twists of the season. Phil Jagielka, the Everton captain who hadn’t made a Premier League goal over the past 18 months, took an opportunity. With an onside kick, he took an apparent strike at the ball, and it rocketed into Simon Mignolet’s top corner in the 91st minute, erupting the blue side of the stadium and leaving the Reds stunned. Martinez, Everton’s manager at the time, even noted, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better strike in football.”

We can’t go without mentioning the end to Everton’s Anfield drought. In 2021, after two decades of leaving the stadium defeated in derby after derby, under Carlo Ancelotti, Everton came victorious with a 2-0 win against the Reds. This was a more than welcomed triumph for the Toffees and a nail in the coffin for Liverpool, as it was the fourth of six home defeats that season following an injury crisis at the club. 

November 2013 made for an exhilarating watch for either side. Both teams tore through the Premier League, with Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rogers pulling the strings. Played at Goodison, the match was a six-goal rollercoaster and made for one of the most memorable matches in the Merseyside derby to date. Liverpool scored an astounding three goals in 19 minutes, including Suarez’s free-kick that began to level the playing field at 2-1. Romelu Lukaku caused a ripple across the stadium with two goals in 10 minutes with just eight minutes to go. The course was set, and Everton was ready to take the win when Daniel Sturridge’s 89th-minute header drew them 3-3. It was a deserving draw, with both sides feeling victorious in their play. 

Let’s Talk Stats 

Now, to bring our expertise to the table. Over 119 meetings at Goodison Park, Liverpool netted 147 goals compared to Everton’s 141. Taking the average of this, we get 2.42 goals per game at Goodison Park, which is not bad going.

However, recent seasons have seen goal averages in the Premier League creep up. The most recent 2023-24 season set a new record with an average of 3.28 goals per match. Interestingly, this tells us that Merseyside derbies played at Goodison have historically featured fewer goals than the recent Premier League average. It bodes whether wagering on lower goal markets in future derbies might be wise, or will Bramley Moore Dock bring a newfound purpose to the Toffees, and we’re about to enter a whole new era of Everton?

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