If you’ve ever stood in the middle of Stanley Park, you’ve seen it. On one side, the red brick of Anfield. On the other, the rising structure of Everton’s new home. They are barely a mile apart. In some cities, a derby means hate, pure and simple. But Liverpool vs Everton F.C. is weirder than that. It’s the "Friendly Derby," though anyone who saw the post-match chaos in February 2025—where three red cards were brandished after the final whistle—knows that "friendly" is a massive stretch these days.
Honestly, this game is a fever dream for the city. You’ve got families where the dad is a Red and the son is a Blue. They eat breakfast together, walk to the stadium together, and then spend 90 minutes screaming for each other's downfall.
It’s basically the longest-running top-flight rivalry in England. Since 1962, they haven't spent a single season apart. That's over 60 years of constant, nagging proximity.
The Day the City Split in Half
Most people think these two clubs were born enemies. Nope. They used to be the same thing. Back in 1892, Everton played at Anfield. Yeah, you read that right. The Blues were the original tenants. But then John Houlding, who owned the land, got into a massive row with the club committee over rent.
Everton packed their bags and moved across the park to Goodison. Houlding was left with an empty stadium and no team, so he just... started a new one. That was the birth of Liverpool F.C.
It's basically a 130-year-old landlord-tenant dispute that got wildly out of hand.
Since that split, the record has been a bit one-sided, if we're being blunt. As of early 2026, Liverpool has crossed the 100-win mark in the derby. Everton sits in the late 60s. But stats don't tell the whole story. You can't measure the feeling of a 98th-minute James Tarkowski equalizer, which is exactly what happened during the final derby ever played at Goodison Park in February 2025. That 2-2 draw felt like a win for the Blue half of the city, especially since it was the last time the "Old Lady" stadium would ever host the Reds.
Why the 1980s Were Peak Merseyside
If you weren't there, it's hard to describe how much these two teams dominated English football in the 80s. They weren't just local rivals; they were the two best teams in the country. Between 1982 and 1987, the league title didn't leave the city of Liverpool once.
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- 1984: The "Friendly Final" at Wembley. The whole stadium chanting "Merseyside" in unison.
- 1986: Liverpool wins the Double, beating Everton 3-1 in the FA Cup final.
- 1989: A city in mourning after Hillsborough. The two teams met in the FA Cup final again, a game that transcended sport. Liverpool won 3-2, but the result was secondary to the solidarity shown by both sets of fans.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Modern Derby
There is a misconception that Liverpool vs Everton F.C. has lost its edge because Liverpool has been more successful lately. Tell that to the referees. This fixture has seen more red cards than any other game in Premier League history.
It’s not "clean" football. It’s tackles that make you wince and VAR checks that take five minutes because nobody can believe what they just saw.
Take the September 2025 meeting at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1, but the game was defined by a frantic final ten minutes where Everton, despite having less possession (around 43%), created more "Big Chances" than the hosts. Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were both booked for "argument" late in that game. It's that kind of petty, high-stakes energy that keeps the rivalry alive.
The "Anfield Hoodoo" and the Breaking of It
For a long time, Evertonians lived in a nightmare. They went from 1999 to 2021 without winning a single game at Anfield. Twenty-two years. Think about that. Kids were born, went to college, and started careers without ever seeing Everton win across the park.
When they finally broke it during the pandemic-impacted 2020/21 season, there were no fans in the stadium. Typical Everton luck, right? But it broke a psychological barrier. Now, with Everton moving into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock (often referred to in documents as Hill Dickinson Stadium during its construction phases), the dynamic is shifting. The proximity remains, but the scenery is changing.
Key Players Who Swapped Shirts
Crossing the divide is risky business in this city. You’ve got to be brave, or maybe just a bit mad.
- Peter Beardsley: Scored for both clubs in the derby. A rare legend on both sides.
- Gary Ablett: The only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton.
- Nick Barmby: His move from Everton to Liverpool in 2000 caused an absolute uproar.
- Abel Xavier: Literally moved from one to the other in the middle of a season.
It doesn't happen often anymore. The tribalism is too thick. Even if the fans aren't fighting in the streets like they might in North London or Glasgow, the professional "betrayal" of moving from Blue to Red is rarely forgiven.
The Tactical Shift in 2025 and 2026
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool has moved toward a more controlled, possession-heavy style. They averaged over 57% possession in the most recent derbies. They look to probe, using players like Szoboszlai and Gravenberch to pick locks.
Everton, meanwhile, has leaned into "chaos ball." They know they can't out-pass Liverpool, so they out-work them. They dominate in the air. In the last three meetings, Everton won significantly more aerial duels. They use set pieces like a blunt force instrument. It’s a clash of philosophies: the scalpel vs. the sledgehammer.
What to Watch for in the Next Meeting
If you're planning to watch the next clash in April 2026, keep an eye on the first 15 minutes. In the last five derbies, a goal has been scored or a card has been shown before the 20-minute mark in four of them. These teams don't "feel each other out." They go for the throat immediately.
Also, look at the benches. The recent trend of late-game drama means the substitutes often decide the result. In the September 2025 match, the winning goal came late, and the discipline completely evaporated in stoppage time.
How to Experience the Derby Like a Local
If you actually want to understand this rivalry, don't just sit in the posh seats.
Go to a pub in Walton or Anfield three hours before kick-off. You'll see the mix. You'll hear the "scouse" accent at its thickest. You’ll realize that while the world sees a massive global sporting event, the people in the city see a battle for bragging rights that will last until the next time they have to go to work on Monday morning.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- The Card Market: Historically, the "Over 3.5 Cards" market is one of the safest bets in English football for this fixture. The intensity rarely dips, regardless of league position.
- Home Advantage: While the "Anfield Hoodoo" was broken, Liverpool still wins about 50% of their home derbies, whereas Everton’s win rate at Anfield remains historically low (under 15% in the Premier League era).
- Set Piece Threat: Everton scores a disproportionate amount of their derby goals from corners and wide free-kicks. If Tarkowski or Gueye are starting, expect the ball to be launched into the box at every opportunity.
- The "Origi" Factor: There is always a random hero. Whether it’s Divock Origi’s bizarre 96th-minute header in 2018 or Tarkowski's volley in 2025, the Merseyside derby loves an unlikely protagonist. Keep an eye on the defensive players during late-game corners.
The move to the new stadium in 2025/2026 marks the end of an era for the traditional Goodison vs. Anfield proximity, but the soul of the match isn't changing. It’s still two clubs, one city, and a century of baggage that won't be unpacked anytime soon.
Next Steps: You can track the official Premier League table to see how the next derby will impact the European spots or the relegation battle. Check the injury reports specifically for center-backs, as this game is won and lost in the air. For a deeper look at the cultural side, visiting the Liverpool County FA archives provides a great window into how the "Friendly Derby" nickname was earned in the first place.