The best Merseyside derby matches of the 21st century

• Everton and Liverpool will meet tonight as the 244th Merseyside derby takes place at Goodison Park
• Whereas Jurgen Klopp’s side will be aiming to catch up with Arsenal at the top of the table, the Toffees will be looking for a win to keep them safe out of the relegation zone
• One of the best Merseyside derby matches saw Liverpool dramatically win a five-goal thriller at Goodison Park on April 16, 2001

What are some of the best Merseyside derby matches this century? Everton and Liverpool will meet tonight as the 244th Merseyside derby takes place at Goodison Park. There will be more than bragging rights on this match as both sides continue their spirited fight at opposite ends of the table.

Whereas Jurgen Klopp‘s side will be aiming to catch up with Arsenal at the top of the table, the Toffees will be looking for a win to keep them safe out of the relegation zone. Liverpool have been the dominant team in this fixture with the Reds losing only one of the last 26 league meetings, but will we see a different Everton side tonight? With that said, let’s take a look at the best Merseyside derby matches of the 21st century.

1. Everton 2-3 Liverpool (April 2001)

Liverpool beat Everton 3-2 in 2001. Photo/ Premier League.

One of the best Merseyside derby matches saw Liverpool dramatically win a five-goal thriller at Goodison Park on April 16, 2001. Liverpool went in front twice but had their goals cancelled by a spirited Everton side before a goal in the last minute of the game saw the Reds walk away with all three points.

Emile Heskey opened the scoring for Liverpool early on but an emphatic finish by Duncan Ferguson levelled the scores for Everton shortly before half-time. Markus Babbel scored in the second half to restore the Reds’ advantage before Robbie Fowler missed a penalty that would have given them a 3-1 lead.

Liverpool found themselves in trouble when Igor Biscan was sent off and then a controversial penalty saw Everton level the scores. When it seemed points were going to be shared, Gary McAllister sent a superb free-kick past the wall into the back of the net to win it for Liverpool.

2. Everton 3-0 Liverpool (September 2006)

On September 9, 2006, Everton recorded the biggest win in the Merseyside derby since 1964 when they thumped Liverpool 3-0. Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher endured a nightmare performance during this clash that took place at Goodison Park.

Tim Cahill gave Everton the lead with a close range finish before Andy Johnson capitalized on Carragher’s mistake to increase the Toffees lead to 2-0. Reina would then fumble Lee Carsley’s effort allowing Johnson to seal the win for Everton in stoppage time. The Toffees are yet to win against Liverpool by a three-goal margin since this match.

3. Everton 3-3 Liverpool (November 2013)

Everton dented Liverpool’s hopes of winning the English Premier League title in November 2013 by holding them to a 3-3 draw. It was an end to end contest that saw Everton level the scores twice before taking the lead with eight minutes left to play.

Both sides found the back of the net in the opening eight minutes before Luis Suarez gave Liverpool a 2-1 lead. Romelu Lukaku would then turn the match around with two quick goals but Daniel Sturridge‘s lat strike ensured the points were shared.

4. Liverpool 5-2 Everton (December 2019)

The performance we saw on December 4, 2019 as Liverpool thrashed Everton 5-2 makes the game rank among the best Merseyside derby matches of the 21 century. Six goals were scored in an incredible first half at Anfield, with Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri giving Jurgen Klopp’s side a 2-0 lead inside 17 minutes. Michael Keane pulled one back for Everton but Origi found the back of the net again to restore Liverpool’s two-goal cushion.

Sadio Mane, who had assisted the first two goals then had his own afterwards to give the hosts a 4-1 lead. Richarlison’s strike in first half stoppage time gave the Toffees hope that they could turn this match around but Liverpool ended up sealing the win in the last minute of the game, thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal.

Georginio Wijnaldum scored in stoppage time as Liverpool beat Everton 5-2. Photo/ Sky Sports.

5. Everton 1-4 Liverpool (December 2021)

The 2021-22 season also gave us one of the best Merseyside derby matches in history when Liverpool demolished Everton 4-1.

December 1 was a bad day for Rafa Benitez as he watched unbelievably from the sidelines his side get totally dominated. Mohamed Salah scored twice in the match which had protests from Everton fans. The 4-1 humiliation was one of the reasons Benitez was sacked the following month.