Liverpool vs Everton: 5 most enthralling Merseyside derbies of the Premier League era

3. Premier League (1999) – Liverpool 3-2 Everton at Anfield

This was an enthralling Merseyside derby that will be remembered for a long period of time for Robbie Fowler’s controversial ‘eating the grass’ celebration in spite of his excellent brace. Some rather speculative Evertonians had planted the story that Robbie Fowler was on drugs which evoked a bizarre celebration from Fowler who mimicked snorting drugs after he converted a penalty. Mind games played prior to the games often spill over into goal-celebrations in intense derbies and one is telescoped into the future when Luis Suarez, not so subtly, ‘dived’ in front of David Moyes to answer his the manager who had been talking up the nuisance that Suarez made on the football pitch. Robbie Fowler had to pay for his celebration in spite of Graeme Souness’ desperate attempt to shield it by commenting that it was a dressing room joke about ‘eating the grass’ but retrospectively Fowler would take those 2 goals against Everton and a ban any day!

The match must also be remembered for Steven Gerrard who got his first taste of the Merseyside derby as an 18-year old substitute. The midfielder showed his class in the brief appearance contributing to the third-goal that came of a corner he took, and making a goal-line block when the goal-keeper was off his line. The match seems to have prophesied the times to come in that one aspect.

2. FA Cup Semi Final (2012) – Liverpool 2-1 Everton at Wembley

The semi-finals of 2011-12 FA Cup turned out to be two local derbies (Chelsea/Tottenham being the other) but Merseyside produced a closer contest when eventual runners-up Liverpool pipped their arch-rivals courtesy of two second half goals. Everton fans were hoping to trump their Red counterparts at a Wembley showdown and began well as Jelavic managed to take advantage of Liverpool’s backline confusion to take a convincing side-footed shot that went flying past Jose Reina. Everton were guilty of digging their own grave as Sylvan Distin made a back-pass that was easily collected by Luis Suarez who characteristically filled his boot. Andy Carroll, meanwhile, was going around doing what he does best; missing chances that is but his dying header in the dying minutes ensured Liverpool made their second Wembley final of the season.

Prior to the beginning of this game a minute long silence was observed in remembrance of the Hillsborough victims as Merseyside displayed its unity in the face of a human tragedy that stands out in the history of the footballing county.

1. Premier League (2001) Everton 2-3 Liverpool at Goodison Park

You knew this one was coming, didn’t you? This was one of the many highlights of a glorious Liverpool era under Gerrard Houllier during a season they did the cup treble. The match was balanced till the very dying seconds of the game as Everton cancelled Liverpool’s lead twice. Houllier’s signing Emile Heskey put Liverpool in front as he ran through on goal collecting a long ball to slot it past Everton’s goalie Gerrard in the 5th minute of the game. Everton leveled the game just before half-time and “it had to be” the “big dunc” Duncan Ferguson who slammed in to leave the game poised into the game.

The Reds came lusting after the blood of their rivals in the second half and they were rewarded soon when Markus Babbel put one past Everton to regain the lead. Liverpool had a massive opportunity to close the game but Robbie Fowler played the villain hitting the post from the spot and eventually allowing Everton to claw their back into the game. Unsworth didn’t commit the same mistake when he had his chance from the spot bringing the game to level terms. It looked inevitable that a point would be shared but up stepped Gary McAllister. The free-kick Liverpool received was so far away from the penalty area that nobody would have expected a direct shot as everyone crowded the are looking for a heading opportunity. McAllister powered it precisely past the single man wall into the bottom corner providing the much needed impetus to Liverpool’s campaign for Champions League places but more importantly completing a memorable derby win!

The match also featured 12 yellow cards, a missed penalty, several rejected penalty calls and the sending off of Liverpool’s Igor Biscan. Can one really ask for more?