The Reds have got a terrific record against their local rivals over the years, both home and away. Henry Jackson (@OnFootballTweet) looks back at five of Liverpool’s greatest Merseyside derby wins in the Premier League era.
LIVERPOOL 3-2 EVERTON- 3rd April 1999
http://youtu.be/_5a8WulytAU
A controversial afternoon back in 1999, with the Robbie Fowler at the centre of the action, was a thrilling contest from start to finish.
The game got off to a stunning start, with Olivier Dacourt firing home a superb long-range effort after just 41 seconds. Fowler converted a penalty shortly after, after Paul Ince had been fouled by Marco Materazzi, and his celebration in front of the Everton fans is now infamous.
The legendary striker put the Reds ahead with a close-range header from Steve McManaman’s flick-on, as Liverpool led at the break. Patrik Berger’s well-executed volley in the 82nd minute seemed to put the game beyond doubt, but there was still drama to come.
Francis Jeffers pulled a goal back with six minutes left, and it was thanks to 18-year-old Steven Gerrard that Gerard Houllier’s team got all three points. The youngster twice cleared the ball of the line in the final stages, and Liverpool held on.
EVERTON 2-3 LIVERPOOL- 16th April 2001
This was arguably the most dramatic finish to a Merseyside derby in history, as Liverpool picked up a huge win at the home of their rivals.
Emile Heskey powered in the opener after being put through on goal in the 4th minute. Chances came and went for both sides, before Duncan Ferguson equalised later in the half.
Houllier’s men found themselves ahead again in the 57th minute, however. A terrific counter-attack eventually saw the ball fall to right-back Markus Babbel, who rifled the ball home to send the travelling fans delirious.
Fowler then missed a penalty, before Igor Biscan was given a second yellow card after 76 minutes. David Unsworth’s spot-kick with just seven minutes left looked to have dented Liverpool’s Champions League chances, before Gary McAllister produced the defining moment of his Reds career.
Liverpool were awarded a free-kick approximately 40 yards from goal in stoppage time and, rather than deliver a cross like everyone expected, the Scot fired a sublime effort inside Paul Gerrard’s near post. The celebrations showed just what a big goal it was, and it gained McAllister legendary status in the process.
LIVERPOOL 3-1 EVERTON- 25th March 2006
Another fiery encounter saw Liverpool prevail at Anfield, despite playing most of the game with 10 men.
Gerrard, clearly revved up for the occasion, was given a second yellow card after just 18 minutes, for scything down Kevin Kilbane, and it looked as though David Moyes’ side were in pole position to win the game.
Phil Neville’s own goal on the stroke of half-time put Liverpool ahead, however, and things got even better straight after the interval. Luis Garcia ran onto Peter Crouch’s header before lofting a terrific finish over Richard Wright in front of the Kop.
Tim Cahill pulled one back for Everton, but Andy van der Meyde’s idiotic red card killed their momentum. Harry Kewell then produced a rare moment of brilliance in a Liverpool shirt, rifling home a terrific 25-yard effort to wrap up victory.
EVERTON 1-2 LIVERPOOL- 20th October 2007
In the eyes of many Reds fans, this game comes close to matching the McAllister-inspired win in 2001 in terms of drama.
Sami Hyypia’s unfortunate own goal saw Everton 1-0 up at the break, but the game turned on its head in the 54th minute. Tony Hibbert hauled down Gerrard in the penalty area, after a marauding run from the Liverpool skipper, and was subsequently sent-off. Dirk Kuyt converted from the spot to bring the sides level.
Rafa Benitez’s side kept creating chances but simply couldn’t find the back of the net, as the game drifted into stoppage time. Neville’s handball on the line from Lucas’ shot saw both a another penalty and red card awarded, in a stunning finale.
Kuyt, so often the man for the big occasion, squeezed his effort under Tim Howard to win it for Liverpool. There was still time for Everton to have a penalty appeal of their own turned down, but Jamie Carragher was adjudged not to have fouled Joleon Lescott.
LIVERPOOL 3-0 EVERTON- 13th March 2012
http://youtu.be/122PgdElX4I
This game belonged to Gerrard, who was colossal from start to finish. It was his 400th Premier League appearance for Liverpool.
Many were tipping Moyes’ side to pick up their first win at Anfield since 1999, but they were outplayed from start to finish. Gerrard opened the scoring with a brilliant clipped effort over Howard; his sixth goal against Everton at that time.
He got his second of the game after 51 minutes, finishing clinically from close-range after great work from Luis Suarez. The Reds captain completed his hat-trick in the final stages, the first in a Merseyside derby since Ian Rush in 1982, after again linking up superbly with Suarez.
What is your favourite Merseyside derby memory? Let us know in the comment below, or on Twitter @thisisanfield
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