Merseyside Derby
The longest-running top-flight derby in England, born from a split over ownership and defined by neighbors who once shared stands.
The Merseyside derby is the longest-running top-flight derby in England, contested between Everton and Liverpool, two clubs based in Liverpool, Merseyside. It began with its first official match on 13 October 1894 and has been played continuously in the top flight since the 1962–63 season. Historically known as the 'friendly derby,' it once featured mixed seating and families with supporters of both sides. While the rivalry intensified significantly from the mid-1980s, becoming the game with the most red cards in the Premier League era, recent years have seen a return to competitiveness after Liverpool's dominance in the 2010s.
- Current Everton Venue
- Goodison Park (new stadium: Everton Stadium / Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The rivalry stems directly from a dispute at Anfield in 1892. Everton played there under chairman John Houlding, but political and financial disagreements arose between Houlding (a Conservative brewer) and the board (mostly Liberal temperance advocates). When the directors vacated for Goodison Park, Houlding founded Liverpool FC to use Anfield. The split involved complex local politics: Houlding was an Orange Order member favoring Unionism, while Everton's new chairman George Mahon advocated Irish Home Rule. Though often attributed to sectarian divides, James Clement Baxter was the only Catholic on the 1892 Everton committee; most were Protestants. In the 1960s, both clubs won trophies, but Liverpool surged in the 70s and 80s while Everton endured a 14-year major trophy drought after their 1970 title, which ended with their FA Cup win in 1984.
In Their Own Story
In the 1980s, Howard Kendall's Everton emerged as a serious threat to Bob Paisley's Liverpool. The first Kendall derby at Anfield on 7 November saw a 3–1 loss for Everton, with Liverpool seventh and Everton 13th. A 0–5 victory for Liverpool at Goodison Park in November 1982–83 highlighted the gap, but by 1984–85, the tide turned. On 20 October 1984, Everton beat Liverpool 1–0 at Anfield while Liverpool languished 17th. The climax came in May 1986 when Liverpool and Everton met in an all-Merseyside FA Cup final; Gary Lineker gave Everton the lead, but Ian Rush scored twice and Craig Johnston added one to secure a 3–2 win for Liverpool. In the 1990s, tension rose when Peter Beardsley moved from Liverpool to Everton on 7 December 1992, followed by Gary Ablett.
Reader's Guide
The derby is unique because it was traditionally 'friendly,' with mixed sections and no total fan segregation, partly due to many families supporting both clubs. This culminated in the 1984 League Cup final, nicknamed the 'friendly final' for its mixed atmosphere and joint chanting of 'Merseyside.' The 1986 FA Cup final also featured similar solidarity. However, since the mid-1980s, on-field intensity has surged, with more red cards issued than in any other Premier League game. Liverpool dominated the 2010s, making it arguably the most one-sided top-flight derby of that decade, though competitiveness has returned recently. The grounds are less than a mile apart across Stanley Park; Everton now play at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Vauxhall, while Liverpool remain at Anfield.
Did You Know?
- The first official Merseyside derby was played on 13 October 1894, making it the longest-running top-flight derby in England.
- In the 1984 Football League Cup final, almost all sections of Wembley were mixed, earning it the nickname 'friendly final'.
- Since the creation of the Premier League, more red cards have been given in this fixture than any other game.
- Everton played at Anfield from 1884 until 1892 before moving to Goodison Park across Stanley Park.
- The 1990–91 FA Cup fifth-round replay ended 4–4 at Goodison Park, featuring two goals by Peter Beardsley.
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