The Reds skipper has often played a pivotal role in clashes with Everton since his derby debut in 1999, both to Liverpool’s benefit and cost. Henry Jackson looks back at Steven Gerrard‘s Merseyside derby career.
April 1999- Gerrard makes his first appearance in a Merseyside derby as a 71st-minute substitute in a thrilling 3-2 win at Anfield. The 18-year-old played a crucial role in earning Liverpool all three points, twice clearing the ball off the line in the dying minutes.
September 1999- This was the last time Liverpool lost at home to the Toffees, and a fiery clash saw Gerrard at the centre of the action once more. Kevin Campbell’s early goal won it for Everton, before Sander Westerveld and Francis Jeffers were both dismissed after a scuffle. The teenage Gerrard also saw his marching orders after a shocking tackle on Campbell late on.
September 2001- Gerrard scored his first ever derby goal in this clash back in 2001, and it was an absolute stunner. Campbell had again given Everton an early lead, but it was cancelled out by Gerrard’s thunderous strike from the right hand side of the penalty area. His celebration was unforgettable, taunting the Evertonians as he ran towards to Reds fans. Liverpool went on to win 3-1.
March 2005- By this stage of his career Gerrard was really approaching his peak, and was just two months away from lifting the Champions League. This clash with David Moyes’ side was huge in the battle for a top four finish. Gerrard crucially opened the scoring with a low free-kick in front of the Kop, and it set Rafa Benitez’s men on their way to a vital 2-1 win.
December 2005- Gerrard inspired his side to a ninth successive league victory, after a highly impressive 3-1 win at the home of their rivals. His long-range effort made it 2-0, having already set up Peter Crouch for the opener. James Beattie got one back for the hosts before Djibril Cisse put the game to bed.
March 2006- As a local lad, Gerrard has always seemed particularly fired up for the Merseyside derby, and his behaviour got the better of him back in 2006 at Anfield. After receiving a booking for kicking the ball away, he soon picked up a second yellow after a rash tackle on Kevin Kilbane. Despite that early setback, Liverpool did still manage a 3-1 win with 10 men.
January 2009 (19th and 25th)- Gerrard scored against Everton twice in the space of six days, first in a Premier League game, then in an FA Cup fourth round clash. His terrific strike put Liverpool ahead in the first game, but Tim Cahill’s late equaliser robbed them of top spot in the table. Then, in the cup showdown, he cancelled out Joleon Lescott’s strike to equalise for the Reds with a fine finish. They did lose the resulting replay, however.
March 2012- After over three years without playing a pivotal role against Everton, Gerrard produced arguably his most memorable derby performance to date. A 3-0 win for Kenny Dalglish‘s side was dominated by the skipper’s hat-trick. He opened the scoring after clipping a terrific effort over Tim Howard, before two clinical finishes in the second half made him the first player to score a derby treble since Ian Rush in 1982.
September 2014 – The skipper dispatched a trademark free-kick to give Liverpool the lead – a lead which was wiped out by Phil Jagielka’s late strike at the Kop end. Arriving at a time when questions were being asked of Gerrard’s role, his free-kick showed his was still the man for the big occasion.
Steven Gerrard‘s Merseyside derby record:
Played: 32
Goals: 10
Sent off: 2 (1999, 2006)
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