Few fixtures in English football capture the imagination like the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool.
Goodison Park staged the inaugural meeting in 1894 as the fierce rivalry was born and 119 subsequent duels have been fought on the blue side of Stanley Park. There have been highs and lows for both Merseyside competitors but no more history will be written in this fixture at the historic venue.
With the Toffees making the move to a new fortress at Bramley-Moore Dock at the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, Goodison has hosted its final derby day. The epilogue epitomised the drama and chaos that has so often engulfed this fixture, with Everton and Liverpool conjuring up a fitting and enthralling finale as they bid adieu to an arena of many gargantuan battles.
Here are some of the most memorable meetings between the sides at Goodison.
Everton 0-5 Liverpool (06/11/1982)
Ian Rush was often the tormenter of Everton but rarely did he inflict as much damage as during the 1982/83 season. The Welsh sharpshooter scored four as Liverpool repeatedly carved ten-man Everton open, with Mark Lawrenson also getting in on the act to pour more misery on the home faithful.
Rush produced the first hat-trick in the Merseyside derby since 1935 as Liverpool ran riot, securing an important victory en route to the league title. For the Toffees, it was a comparatively glum campaign as they finished a mediocre seventh under Howard Kendall.
Everton 4-4 Liverpool (20/02/1991)
Everton simply refused to be beaten in the 1991 FA Cup fifth round. Having secured a replay following an initial goalless draw at Anfield, the Toffees welcomed their fierce foes to Goodison just three days later.
Liverpool took the lead on four separate occasions - including wonder strikes from Peter Beardsley and John Barnes - but Everton pegged them back every single time. Graeme Sharp and Tony Cottee both produced braces as the relentless Toffees persisted, with the final equaliser coming in extra time.
Everton would secure a hard-fought draw, taking the tie to a third iteration which the Toffees won by a single goal at Goodison the following week.
Everton 3-0 Liverpool (09/09/2006)
Everton's derby day success was growing increasingly sporadic by the time Liverpool visited Goodison at the beginning of the 2006/07 season, with the Toffees having won just once in their previous eight home Merseyside derbies.
But some truly dismal Liverpool defending would gift them an emphatic 3-0 victory under the guidance of David Moyes, who saw Andy Johnson prey on errors from Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina - the Spaniard producing a particularly horrific gaffe as he juggled the ball onto the striker's head - to score a double after Tim Cahill had fired the home side ahead.
Everton 3-3 Liverpool (23/11/2013)
Liverpool were continuing the hunt for their first ever Premier League title when they visited Goodison in November 2013 under Brendan Rodgers. We all know how that ended but a last-gasp equaliser against their bitter rivals was still something to celebrate from an ultimately heartbreaking campaign.
Philippe Coutinho and Kevin Mirallas had both found the back of the net within the opening nine minutes to kickstart a frenetic derby, with Luis Suarez's excellent free kick offering Liverpool the advantage at half-time.
Victory looked increasingly probable for the Reds but Romelu Lukaku's quickfire brace turned the game on its head in the closing stages. However, Liverpool blushes were spared by their number nine at the other end, Daniel Sturridge rising highest in the dying embers to head the visitors level.
Everton 2-2 Liverpool (12/02/2025)
Everton couldn't have dreamt of a more thrilling farewell to this fixture at Goodison. Moyes back in the dugout, an equaliser in the 98th minute and a mass brawl to finish - this is Merseyside derby heritage.
The Toffees had nudged in front early doors via Beto but quickly saw their lead slashed by Alexis Mac Allister's header. Despite Liverpool leading the Premier League heading into the fixture, the resurgent Toffees continued to chip away at their visitors and were hungry for a winner heading into the final 20 minutes.
Mohamed Salah delivered what appeared a fatal blow as he added another Merseyside derby strike to his tally, but the script demanded another twist in the tale. With the final kick of the game, centre-back James Tarkowski channeled his inner Phil Jagielka to rifle home a sensational volley and send Goodison wild.
Four red cards were handed out to players and staff after the final whistle as emotions ran high and Goodison took its final Merseyside derby bow.
Everton vs Liverpool at Goodison Park - Full record
- Matches played: 120
- Everton wins: 41
- Draws: 38
- Liverpool wins: 41
READ THE LATEST NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS AND MATCH REACTION
feed
