Everton
Hill Dickinson Stadium is set to make history as it hosts its first Merseyside Derby, a fixture steeped in tradition and fierce rivalry. For the first time in nearly 132 years, Liverpool will not make the short journey across Stanley Park to Goodison Park. Instead, they will travel two miles to Everton’s new 52,769-capacity home on the waterfront. As anticipation builds for this landmark event, we take a look back at some of the most memorable Merseyside Derbies played at Everton’s former ground.
Ken Rogers proclaimed: “I have often wondered what it must have been like to have been in the crowd the night Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier took each other to the brink of human endurance, exchanging punch for punch, blow for blow in the legendary Thriller in Manila. Now I know.”
The Merseyside Derby has always been a spectacle of passion and drama. One such memorable encounter saw Liverpool’s Ian Rush dispossess Kevin Ratcliffe, leading to a goal by Peter Beardsley. Everton responded with Graeme Sharp’s powerful header, but Liverpool regained the lead through Beardsley’s left-footed strike. The match continued to swing back and forth, with both teams exchanging goals until Tony Cottee’s late equalizer forced extra time. Despite Liverpool’s John Barnes scoring a stunning goal, Everton’s Cottee struck again to ensure a thrilling draw.
Ken Rogers wrote: “Liverpool were so confident their main sponsors Carlsberg took a tongue-in-cheek advert out in the ECHO which included a special form to mark down the goalscorers. The Blues had just one line, the Reds five.”
The rivalry between the two clubs has often been marked by intense competition and memorable moments. In 1994, Joe Royle’s appointment as Everton manager saw the emergence of the ‘Dogs of War,’ a spirited performance that secured a 2-0 victory over Liverpool. Similarly, in 1997, a young Danny Cadamarteri’s goal lifted Everton to a 2-0 win, showcasing the raw energy and passion that defines these encounters.
Joe Thomas of the ECHO said: “After so many years, so many disappointments in this fixture, and so much heartbreak and heartache, it was an emotional one. This is a club and a fanbase that has suffered their lowest as their biggest foes have ridden the crest of a silverware-laden wave.”
The Merseyside Derby has not only been a battle on the pitch but also a reflection of the emotions and aspirations of both clubs and their supporters. As Everton prepares to host Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the memories of past derbies at Goodison Park serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of this iconic fixture.
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