Liverpool v Everton: Classic matches

The Merseyside derby is a fixture that has provided us with some historic moments in recent years. A contest in which form is often irrelevant, the outcome can simply come down to who wants it more.

From last minute winners to six goal thrillers, we've delved into the archives and picked out five classic matches between the two Merseyside clubs.

Everton 3-3 Liverpool (2013)

The Reds travelled to Goodison Park for their first Merseyside derby of the 2013/14 season.

Philippe Coutinho gave Liverpool the dream start, arriving deep at the back post to give the Reds the lead. The lead didn't last long however, as Kevin Mirallas latched onto the second ball from an Everton set piece, finding the roof of the net.

Just over 10 minutes later, Luis Suarez had his say on the game.

The Uruguayan lined up a free kick way outside the Everton 18 yard box and had to beat a six-man Everton wall just to find the target. It was no surprise to see the number seven improvise as he curled the ball low and around the wall, finding the bottom right corner. Advantage Liverpool.

It took until the 72 minute mark for Everton to respond, and who else but Romelu Lukaku. The ball fell to the Belgian centre forward and he managed to beat Simon Mignolet with his weaker right foot, levelling the score at Goodison.

The Toffees' number 17 was at the double as Mirallas' corner was met by a thunderous header from Lukaku, giving Everton a late lead in the game.

Daniel Sturridge, who no doubt will have been disappointed that he didn't start the game, made a huge impact for the Reds when entering the field in the 79th minute. A superb Steven Gerrard delivery was flicked on by Sturridge at the front post, leaving Tim Howard stranded.

Points were shared on the blue side of Stanley park. Everton three, Liverpool three.

Everton 2-0 Liverpool (2024)

The most recent contest to make the list is Everton's famous 2-0 win over Liverpool in the 2023/24 season.

While Liverpool's title chances were fading after a loss to Crystal Palace just 10 days prior, Everton still had work to do to ensure they would play the 2024/25 season in the Premier League.

As tends to be the case in the Merseyside derby, Everton were making the most of their set pieces. Danger struck for Liverpool in the 27th minute as Jarrad Branthwaite took advantage of the Reds' lacklustre defending, tapping home just outside of the six yard box.

Jurgen Klopp's side saw the majority of possession in the game, yet were unable to provide a cutting edge, denied by Jordan Pickford on multiple occasions.

The Toffees were out to trouble Liverpool from another set piece, this time from a corner. Dwight McNeil's cross was uncontested from anyone in a red shirt and was destined to pick out an Everton player at the back post.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was given a free run at the ball and nodded it past Alisson. Klopp's smile persisted, but deep down this is not the way he anticipated his last Merseyside derby going.

The Reds piled on the pressure in the closing 30 minutes but couldn't find the net. A 2-0 win for Everton which killed Liverpool's title hopes and almost guaranteed survival for the Toffees.

Liverpool 1-0 Everton (2018)

While the match in itself may not qualify as a 'classic', the closing minutes of the game means that this contest makes it onto the list.

Everton reduced Liverpool to very little during the 90 minutes and were set to hand them a major blow in their hunt for the title.

This was until the 96th minute where the unthinkable happened.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross was headed out by Yerry Mina, but only as far as Virgil van Dijk. His scuffed volley was followed up by thousands of Liverpool fans' groans.

Jordan Pickford, however, was unable to safely deal with Van Dijk's effort as it looped down onto the crossbar before falling for Divock Origi, who could not believe his luck.

He headed home, handing Liverpool the lead in extraordinary fashion. Klopp couldn't contain his elation, sprinting onto the pitch and greeting Alisson with one of his famous hugs.

Everton 2-3 Liverpool (2001)

After beating the Toffees 3-1 earlier in the season, Liverpool travelled to Goodison Park to try and complete the league double.

Emile Heskey had his say in the first contest between the two in the 2000/01 season, netting the winner, and was out to do the same again. Dietmar Hamann's through ball found Heskey, who powerfully beat Everton's number one, Paul Gerrard.

Minutes before the half time whistle, Duncan Ferguson arrived into the Liverpool box to fire home the equaliser. 1-1.

Everton's main problems in the first half came when committing men forward, leaving themselves exposed at the back. Markus Babbel was the next Liverpool player to punish the Toffees for this, finding the bottom left corner to conclude a ruthless counter-attack.

Robbie Fowler had the chance to extend Liverpool's lead from the spot but was denied by the post. While the Reds still possessed a one goal lead, the task of seeing out the game was made a lot tougher by Igor Biscan's dismissal. Liverpool had 13 minutes of normal time to hang on to their lead.

Just six minutes later, David Unsworth had the chance to do what Fowler couldn't, converting from 12 yards out. He found the net in fine fashion, leaving Sander Westerveld with little chance.

With just minutes to play, Everton were carrying momentum and were seeking a winner. It was Liverpool, however, who were handed a lifeline in the 94th minute with a free kick.

While the obvious option would be to try and find one of the four Liverpool men in the box, Gary McAllister had other ideas. He caught Paul Gerrard off his line and found the bottom left corner. Despair for Everton fans, delight for the travelling Kop.

Liverpool 3-0 Everton (2012)

Once again, the Reds were looking to win consecutive league games against the Toffees. This time around they would host their rivals on a Tuesday night under the lights at Anfield.

34 minutes in, Gerrard's beautifully lofted effort got the better of Howard, who could only watch the ball hit the back of the net.

Just six minutes into the second half, Suarez found himself in a one v one position with Everton's Sylvain Distin. Suarez escaped the Frenchman before setting the ball for Gerrard, who added his second of the evening.

While the game wasn't yet out of reach for Everton, it certainly wasn't far off.

The Toffees were unable to fight back against Liverpool's onslaught and could now only focus on minimising the damage. They only had themselves to blame for what was about to happen next, however.

Royston Drenthe was dispossessed by Gerrard in the middle of the park. The Liverpudlian found Suarez who only had one thought in mind, to assist Gerrard for his hat-trick.

For the second time in the game, Suarez would assist Gerrard. Liverpool had the bragging rights in the city. As did Steven Gerrard.