Everton vs Liverpool: Three big Merseyside derbies played at Goodison Park

Retired Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, 56, will take part in his final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

It will also be one of the last times the Reds and Everton face each other at the historic ground, where the Blues have played since 1892.

The Toffees are due to move to their new stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Goodison has hosted more Premier League matches than any other stadium in England, but nothing gets the crowd excited more than a Merseyside derby.

Ahead of the 244th episode of Everton vs Liverpool, let’s take a look at three of the most spectacular derbies played at Goodison in the Premier League era.

Liverpool fans are still cringing at the sight of Andrew Johnson lunging at Pepe Reina in online videos.

Everton legend Tim Cahill opened the scoring just before half-time, taking full advantage of the Cormorants’ defense being unsettled by a Lee Carsley header.

Perhaps affected by a strong start from the home side, Liverpool prop Jamie Carragher mistimed what should have been an easy clearance to give Johnson the chance to score.

The forward made no mistake and slotted the ball under Reina to make it 2-0 10 minutes before the break.

Liverpool could not come back in the second half but managed to keep the scoreline unchanged.

That is until Carsley shot in overtime.

Reina initially parried the shot and then tried to catch the ball as it headed towards his own goal.

He managed to clear the ball off the line – but Johnson was there to secure a memorable win for Everton.

Klopp’s biggest win at Goodison – against Rafa Benitez, who became the first person to manage both Liverpool and Everton since William Edward Barclay in the 1890s.

This game came amid a difficult period for the Blues, who faced one of the best teams of the Premier League era.

After just nine minutes, Jordan Henderson put his side ahead with a left-footed header.

Ten minutes later, Mohamed Salah beat Jordan Pickford to make it 2-0.

Demarai Gray would reduce the deficit for Everton before the break – with their only shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

But it didn’t matter much when Salah made it 3-1 with a wonderful solo effort just after the hour mark.

With just over 10 minutes to go, Diogo Jota scored his fourth goal from a close angle to condemn Everton to their heaviest Merseyside derby defeat in 39 years.

A classic in the modern era, back when the derby was a bit more tense, with comebacks from both sides.

The stage was set after just five minutes when Liverpool took the lead through Emile Heskey, breaking free on the counter-attack after Everton were denied a penalty at the other end of the pitch.

The game would turn into a battle, with both sides battling hard throughout the rest of the first half.

Duncan Ferguson – who else? – he was going to pulled Everton back level just before half-time and was booked for the way he celebrated the win.

Not too dissimilar to how their first goal was scored, Liverpool would take the lead through Markus Babbel with just over 30 minutes to go.

A counter-attack, sparked when Dietmar Hamann found Robbie Fowler, who managed to pass back to the defender for a rare Championship goal.

Things were to get a little desperate for Liverpool, however, after Igor Biscan was shown a red card in the 77th minute.

David Unsworth, who had failed to clear Fowler’s earlier cross, was gifted a chance to become the derby hero of the day, having the chance to score from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.

The Englishman controlled his emotions and took the penalty hard and low, beating a helpless Sander Westerveld with what looked certain to be the last goal of the game.

But no! Gary McAllister lays the ball down for a free-kick at least 40 yards from Everton’s goal with a minute left to play in the extra five.

The Scot sends the ball into the box, goalkeeper Paul Gerrard fails to intervene and Liverpool, down to 10 men, seal victory in the most dramatic way possible.

Watch Everton vs Liverpool on Flashscore.