3 of the Most Memorable Merseyside Derbies at Goodison Park

Tonight’s Merseyside derby could very well be the last one at Goodison Park, marking the end of an era in one of football’s fiercest rivalries. Over the years, this historic stadium has seen unforgettable battles between Everton and Liverpool. As the Toffees prepare to move to their new home, let’s look back at three of the most memorable Merseyside Derbies which took place at Goodison Park.

Everton 3-3 Liverpool (Premier League, November 2013) 

The Merseyside Derby has always delivered drama, and the November 2013 clash between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park was no exception. A six-goal thriller, end-to-end action, and late twists—this was Premier League football at its chaotic best. Liverpool were flying high, spearheaded by the lethal Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge. Everton, rejuvenated under Roberto Martínez, were proving to be a serious threat for European places. With both teams in fine form, expectations were sky-high, and the match more than lived up to the billing. 

The visitors wasted no time stamping their authority, and in the 5th minute, Philippe Coutinho gave Liverpool the lead. A Steven Gerrard corner caused havoc in the Everton box, and the Brazilian reacted quickest, slotting the ball past Tim Howard. But Everton responded almost immediately. Just three minutes later, Kevin Mirallas pounced on a loose ball from a Leighton Baines free-kick and fired it into the net, setting the tone for a frantic afternoon. Liverpool regained the lead in the 19th minute, thanks to Suárez’s brilliance. The Uruguayan stepped up to take a free-kick from 25 yards out. He curled the ball low and around the Everton wall, catching Howard off guard as it nestled into the bottom corner. With Liverpool 2-1 up, the game descended into a feisty battle. 

Tempers flared, none more so than when Mirallas left his mark—quite literally—on Suárez with a reckless, knee-high challenge. Somehow, the Belgian escaped with only a yellow card, much to the fury of Liverpool fans. Meanwhile, Everton suffered a setback as Baines was forced off with an injury, but they continued to push forward. Their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute when Romelu Lukaku brought Goodison Park to life. The big Belgian saw his initial shot blocked but made no mistake on the rebound, smashing the ball past Simon Mignolet to make it 2-2. And just ten minutes later, he put Everton in front, rising highest from a corner to power in a header. 

Everton looked set for a famous win, but Liverpool had one final say. In the 89th minute, Sturridge, just off the bench, connected with a Gerrard freekick to nod in the equalizer. The game ended 3-3 – no winner, but no shortage of entertainment. This derby had everything: controversy, quality, and non-stop action. A classic that remains one of the most memorable Merseyside clashes of the Premier League era. 

Everton 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League, April 2001) 

Merseyside derbies are always filled with passion, controversy, and unforgettable moments, but the April 2001 edition at Goodison Park was something truly special. Liverpool and Everton went toe-to-toe in a fiery contest, but it was settled in the most dramatic way possible – by a 90th-minute piece of magic from Gary McAllister that stunned the blue half of Merseyside. 

The Reds started brightly and took the lead in the 5th minute through Emile Heskey. The powerful striker found space inside the box and slotted past Paul Gerrard to give Liverpool the perfect start. However, Everton, as always in the derby, refused to back down. They responded in the 42nd minute when Duncan Ferguson bullied his way past Sami Hyypiä and fired home an equalizer to send Goodison Park into a frenzy. The second half was just as intense, with both sides desperate for a winner. Liverpool reclaimed the lead in the 57th minute, courtesy of Markus Babbel. The German full-back capitalized on a loose ball in the box and rifled his shot past Gerrard to make it 2-1.  

But Everton weren’t finished yet. With just 8 minutes remaining, they won a penalty after Igor Bišćan was adjudged to have fouled Ferguson. David Unsworth stepped up and coolly converted from the spot, making it 2-2 and setting up a nerve-wracking finale. As the clock ticked towards stoppage time, the game seemed destined for a draw. But then came Gary McAllister’s moment of genius. Liverpool won a free-kick nearly 40 yards from goal, and with everyone expecting a cross, the Scottish veteran spotted a gap and went for the unthinkable—curling a pinpoint strike into the bottom corner, past a stunned Gerrard. 

Liverpool’s 3-2 win proved vital in their race for a top-three finish and set the tone for an incredible end to the season, which saw them claim a historic cup treble (FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup). Meanwhile, Everton were left heartbroken, undone by a moment of brilliance from one of Liverpool’s most underrated heroes. It was a derby for the ages, with McAllister’s late magic ensuring his place in Merseyside folklore. 

Everton 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League, October 2020) 

The first Merseyside derby of the 2020/21 season had everything—early goals, crunching tackles, a controversial red card, and VAR drama at the death. Everton and Liverpool played out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, but the game was overshadowed by two huge refereeing decisions that left the Reds fuming.  

Just three minutes in, Sadio Mané smashed home a brilliant finish after an incisive move from Andy Robertson. It was the perfect start for Jürgen Klopp’s side, but their early joy quickly turned to fury. Moments later, a reckless challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saw Virgil van Dijk clattered inside the box. However, VAR ruled Van Dijk offside in the buildup, meaning no penalty was given—and, astonishingly, no action was taken against Pickford. The Dutchman was forced off with a serious knee injury that would rule him out for the rest of the season. Everton took advantage of Liverpool’s frustration and equalized in the 19th minute. James Rodríguez whipped in a delightful corner, and Michael Keane powered a header past Adrian to level the score. The Toffees, enjoying their best start to a season in years under Carlo Ancelotti, grew into the game, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison causing problems for the Reds’ defense. 

The second half was just as intense, and Liverpool thought they had snatched victory when Mohamed Salah fired a stunning first-time volley into the bottom corner in the 72nd minute. The Egyptian’s 100th goal for Liverpool was a beauty, but the drama wasn’t over yet. Everton refused to give in, and in the 81st minute, Lucas Digne’s cross was met by an airborne Calvert-Lewin, who soared above everyone to plant a perfect header past Adrian, making it 2-2. Moments later, Everton were reduced to ten men when Richarlison saw red for a horror tackle on Thiago Alcântara, leaving Liverpool with a numerical advantage for the final moments. 

Then came the biggest talking point. In stoppage time, Jordan Henderson thought he had won it for Liverpool with a last-gasp finish, only for VAR to controversially rule Mané offside in the buildup—by the narrowest of margins. The decision left Klopp and his players furious, while Everton breathed a sigh of relief. In the end, the spoils were shared, but the real talking points were Van Dijk’s injury and VAR’s influence. It was a derby filled with drama, but Liverpool felt robbed of victory in a game they believed they deserved to win.  

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