by Marc Serber

While fans on this side of the pond know that Liverpool-Everton matches are some of the most fiercely contested derbies in the world, they may be surprised to learn that the Red supporters of Liverpool and the Blues of Everton are historically quite amicable towards one another on the terraces.

In fact, the Merseyside Derby is also known in England by another name “The Friendly Derby.”

It is the only derby- if not one of the only matches- around the world where the fans of both sides have sat together. 

The best illustration of this point came in the 1984 Milk Cup final when a bird’s eye view of Wembley displayed a sea of red and blue mixed together with unified chants of “Merseyside, Merseyside,” and “Are you watching Manchester?”

The question then is how can the longest standing derby in England between two of the country’s most successful clubs, in a city filled with fervent and passionate supporters of their respective sides, be played against such a “friendly” backdrop?

Unlike many intra city rivalries around the world, supporters of the Merseyside clubs are not divided along social, political, religious, or geographical lines.

River Plate v. Boca Jr. in Argentina pits “Los Millonarios” or the club of the Buenos Aires elite (River) against the team of the working class (Boca). Unlike these clubs with their historical roots planted along social and economic lines, Everton and Liverpool originated out of a single club in 1882.

A rent dispute caused members of Everton FC to leave Anfield Road and search for a new ground. While they took up residence at Goodison Park, those who stayed behind were forced to change their name to Liverpool because the league did not want two clubs with the same name.

Goodison Park is located less then two miles from Anfield at opposite ends of Stanley Park. The proximity of the two clubs means that fans are not divided along geographical boundaries. Families and businesses are not tied to the team from “their side of the city.” It is not a North vs. South or East vs. West battle. This is why it is not uncommon to have family members and co-workers supporting different sides.

Unlike the Old-Firm Derby between Rangers and Celtic in Scotland, neither club has a religious affiliation. While there have been murmurings about a rift along Catholic and Protestant lines, the truth is neither club ever took an official stance on religion. Actually, both teams stem from a Methodist origin.   

Perhaps the one thing that has kept this rivalry friendly over the years is the people of Liverpool themselves. They are famous for their “scouse humor,” a brand of witty and playful exchanges which can often serve to diffuse a tense situation. As the website appropriately named Liverpool Banter posted, “There has always been a delicate line between good natured banter and the tribal passion in the Liverpool/Everton divide.”

Sadly the Everton/Liverpool rivalry has changed over the years. It is safe to say that all is not well on Merseyside. Long gone are the derby’s glory days of the 1980’s when almost every match had League Championship or Cup implications- including two FA Cup finals- and the intermingling of fans has lessened as the atmosphere has become less hospitable.

In a match in 2008 Liverpool fans allegedly spat at and even punched Everton’s Phil Neville while he tried to take a throw in.

Everton supporters have not been on their best behavior either as they recently taunted Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard about recent developments in his private life.

Of course none of this was helped by the fact that Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez referred to his neighbors as “a small club.”

While the battle in the stands has heated up over the years, the action on the field has always been fierce. A record 17 red cards have been raised in this fixture since the old English First Division became the Premiership.

Last season Liverpool stormed into Goodison Park collecting a 2-0 win courtesy of two second half goals by Fernando Torres in a three minute span. Liverpool thought they had secured all three points in the return fixture to Anfield through Steven Gerrard, only for Tim Cahill to steal a point for the Toffees with three minutes left.

Less then a week later, Everton got the better of their neighbors in the FA Cup, however, drawing 1-1 in the 4th round. The Replay was settled by Everton teenager Dan Gossling in extra time, just two minutes before penalties.

The drama of last year’s derby matches rekindled memories of the 4-4 tie in the 1991 FA Cup. Fans are hoping that last year’s matches are a sign of the return of the verve and vigor that many feel has been lost over the last few years.

Liverpool limps into Goodison Park knowing that they will be no longer taking part in Champions League football this season. The good news is that in the Premiership last Saturday, the Reds showed real grit and a willingness to fight against Manchester City. This suggests that despite being in seventh place, they are up for the fight. Finishing this season once again among the Champions League places is a very realistic possibility.

Everton meanwhile has a week to think about its demoralizing 3-0 loss to Manchester United which dropped them to 14th on the table, but David Moyes is a clever manager and he has the talent at his disposal to push his team up to mid table. After all, only 10 points separate 14th place Everton from the final Champions League spot held by Tottenham. With only 13 games played these are still early days in the Prem.

Make no mistake, with Liverpool struggling and their demoralizing exit from the Champions League, Everton feel they have every chance to win this game.

While purists will be yearning for the glory days of the 1980s in the stands and with players wishing their place in the table were similar to their seasons of the 1980s, one thing is for certain. Like almost any famous derby around the world, when Liverpool travels to Goodison Park this Sunday to face Everton, you can throw talent, player injuries, league position, and all other factors out the window. Expect a tight, tense, and passionate match with a few surprises along the way.

Which side of the Merseyside do you support?  Wear the official team colors of your team, Everton or Liverpool.  The World Soccer Shop has the best selection of official soccer gear from around the globe.

The 206th Merseyside Derby: The Facts

Merseyside! Merseyside!

Liverpool is the most successful soccer city in England. Liverpool and Everton have 27 League titles between them. Liverpool’s 18th and final league crown came in 1990 while Everton has hoisted the trophy nine times, but has not finished on top since 1987.

The North Western City has never gone a season in the top flight without representation  from either Everton or Liverpool. 

The two teams have combined for 19 domestic cups (both League and FA). 15 of those trophies have gone to the red side of town with the FA Cup last arriving at Anfield in 2006. Everton’s last FA Cup win was in 1995, but the Toffees took home finalists medals last season following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the final match of the English season.

In addition, the sides have combined for 24 Charity Shields, the curtain raiser to the season.

In Europe the Toffees claimed the old Cup Winners Cup in 1985, while Liverpool has gone on to claim 11 trophies in Europe including five European Cup/ Champions League titles. The Reds last Champions League victory came in astonishing fashion when they fought back from a 3-nil halftime deficit to defeat AC Milan in penalties in 2005.

Happy to be at Goodison this weekend:

The Toffees will be happy to play this match in front of their own fans as they have yet to take all three points from Anfield since the turn of the millennium. Everton’s last victory on the other side of Stanley Park came on September 27,1999 courtesy of a lone goal by Kevin Campbell.

Liverpool- The More Illustrious Neighbor?

Liverpool leads the all time derby results with a record of 79 wins- 63 draws- and 65 losses while outscoring its neighbor 282 to 243.

Since the beginning of the Premiership in 1992, Everton has finished above Liverpool in the table just once, beating its rivals to fourth place and the final Champions League spot by a mere three points.

Normal order was restored as the Anfield outfit finished in third the next two seasons and Everton finished 11th and 6th respectively.

Two seasons ago, Everton crept up to 5th while Liverpool dropped one place into 4th, but still finished the season 11 points ahead of its rivals.

Last year, the Toffees stayed in fifth place, but their more illustrious rivals slid back up to 2nd finishing 23 points to the good.