The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool is one of English football's most storied fixtures and a city rivalry that is unique in many ways.

Both clubs have a history of success, though Liverpool's status as giants of the English game means they hold sway over Everton in that regard. 

Since the turn of the century, the Reds have lorded it over the Blues in the battle for supremacy on Merseyside. 

Billed as the 'friendly derby' the clash of Merseyside's two big clubs can often become heated when they collide, but there is a lingering belief that, when the chips are down, they have got each other's backs. 

Merseyside derby dates 

The first meeting of Everton and Liverpool took place on 13th October 1894 in the English First Division and saw the Toffees run out 3-0 winners. 

It was not, however, a sign of things to come and Liverpool lead the head-to-head 99-67 currently, with the Reds just one shy of a century of Merseyside derby wins. 

The most recent meeting between the two sides saw Liverpool claim a 2-0 victory at Anfield in the first Premier League clash of the 2023/24 season.

The reverse league fixture at Goodison Park is due to take place on Saturday 16th March, 2024, although the two sides could meet before that if they are drawn against each other in either the FA Cup or EFL Cup.

Merseyside derby location

Liverpool's home ground at Anfield and Everton's Goodison Park stadium are both used for the Merseyside derby. 

The teams have also met in showpiece finals in the past, such as the FA Cup and EFL Cup, where games were played at a neutral venue. 

Merseyside derby television coverage

The Merseyside derby is one of the highlights of the Premier League season and is often broadcast live on British television, as well as abroad to a worldwide audience.

TNT Sports and Sky Sports hold the majority of television rights for the Premier League in the UK.

The first Merseyside derby of the 2023/24 Premier League season was shown on TNT Sports in the UK.

Merseyside derby history

Liverpool and Everton have met in the Merseyside derby on 244 occasions, with the first recorded derby taking place in 1894.

Merseyside derby head-to-head

Liverpool leads the way with 99 wins in the Merseyside derby, trumping Everton's tally of 67 victories. There have been a total of 77 draws.

Most Merseyside derby appearances

Legendary Everton and Wales goalkeeper Neville Southall holds the record for appearances in the fixture with 41. Southall spent 17 years at the Toffees from 1981-1998 making 578 appearances between the posts.

Most Merseyside derby goals 

Another Welshman, striker Ian Rush, holds the record for goals scored in the Merseyside derby with 25. 

Most famously, Rush scored a brace in the 1986 FA Cup Final as Liverpool came from behind to win 3-1 at Wembley after Gary Lineker had scored first for the Toffees.

Liverpool became only the fifth English club to complete the double of League and FA Cup - with Everton also finishing as runners-up in the First Division that season. 

Rush would do it all again in the 1989 FA Cup decider as Liverpool won 3-2 in an emotional clash at Wembley.

Everton's all-time leading scorer in the fixture is Dixie Dean with 19 goals. 

Peter Beardsley is the most famous player to score for both teams in this fixture, having moved across Stanley Park from Liverpool to Everton for a fee £1m in the summer of 1991. David Johnson is the only other player to manage that feat. 

Merseyside derby records 

The longest unbeaten derby run in all competitions is held by Liverpool, with Everton failing to find a victory in 23 consecutive games between 2011 and 2020.

The Merseyside derby has witnessed more red cards (23, though one was later rescinded) than any other fixture in the Premier League era. Respective captain's Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) and Phil Neville (Everton) both got sent off twice in this fixture. 

The biggest win in a Merseyside derby league game was a 6-0 success for Liverpool at Anfield in the 1935/36 season.

Both teams have won 5-0 at the home of their derby rivals, Everton at Anfield in 1914/15 season and Liverpool at Goodison Park in the 1982/83 season.

Iconic Merseyside derbies 

Everton and Liverpool have done battle in domestic cup finals on multiple occasions.

They clashed in the 1984 League Cup Final at Wembley where a goalless draw ensued before Liverpool won the replay at Maine Road in Manchester 1-0 courtesy of Graeme Souness' goal in the first half.

Two years later it was an FA Cup Final for the Merseyside rivals and, once more, the Reds won out as second half goals from Ian Rush (2) and Craig Johnston overturned Gary Lineker's strike that had Everton in front at half-time.

Everton were Liverpool's first opponents in a competitive game after the Hillsborough disaster of 15th April 1989 when 96 fans lost their lives.

They met on 3rd May, drawing 0-0, while soon after they went head-to-head in the FA Cup Final at Wembley against the emotional backdrop of Hillsborough. 

A late Stuart McCall goal cancelled out John Aldridge's fourth-minute opener, setting up extra-time. 

McCall scored again, but another Rush brace saw Liverpool claim the trophy on a day when the Merseyside clubs stood together in the face of a devastating loss. 

Perhaps most famous of all was the 1991 FA Cup replay at Goodison Park that ended in a 4-4 draw. 

Everton were behind four times, but battled back to draw in what turned out to be Kenny Dalglish's final game in charge of Liverpool as he quit two days later.

David Watson scored the only goal in the second replay for Everton - it was to be the last season of replayed replays in the FA Cup.