Merseyside derby in numbers: 6 Players with the most appearances

• Liverpool’s hopes of winning the English Premier League suffered a huge setback last night after losing the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park
• This was the Toffees’ first derby home win since October 2010 and it came just at the perfect time for them
• The player with the most appearances in the Merseyside derby is former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall

Liverpool’s hopes of winning the English Premier League suffered a huge setback last night after losing the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin condemned Jurgen Klopp’s side to a 2-0 defeat and ended Everton’s cycle of misery against their neighbours.

This was the Toffees’ first derby home win since October 2010 and it came just at the perfect time for them, ruining Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League in Klopp’s last season and increasing their chances of surviving relegation.

Last night’s clash marked the 244th Merseyside derby and we have decided to travel back in time and bring you a list of players with the most appearance in the derby.

1. Neville Southall – 41

Neville Southall. Photo/ Premier League Archive – WordPress.com.

At the summit of players with most appearances in the Merseyside derby is former goalkeeper Neville Southall. Now aged 65, Southall is not a name the modern generation is familiar with, but he was one of the best goalkeepers during his days. The former Wales international, who won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985, was a key player for Everton during his playing days.

Southall made 41 appearances in the Merseyside derby between 1982 and 1997. He also holds the record for most appearances by an Everton play in history which is 751.

2. Ian Rush – 36 

Ian Rush is another name that is familiar with the older generation. Rush, who is 62, played for several clubs but is best known for his time with Liverpool. During his time with the Reds, he faced Everton 36 times and is not only one of the players with the most appearances but by far the leading goalscorer in this fixture. Rush scored 26 times against Everton and made his final appearance in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in April 1996.

The Wales legend won the Football First League Division with Liverpool five times and the European Cup twice.

3. Bruce Grobbelaar – 34

South African-born Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar is one of the players with the most appearances in the Merseyside derby. Joining the English club in 1981, Grobbelaar would go on to make 34 derby appearances before securing a transfer to Southampton in 1994. He conceded an own goal in the 1984 Charity Shield, which Everton won 1-0.

Bruce Grobbelaar. Photo/ Goal.com.

In his last match against Everton as a Liverpool player, Grobbelaar had a bust-up with his teammate Steve McManaman after the latter’s error led to a goal.

4. Alan Hansen – 33

Now a football television pundit, Alan Hansen is a Scottish former professional footballer regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. He started his professional football journey at Patrick Thistle and then joined Liverpool in 1997 where he would spend the rest of his playing career.

Hansen made his Merseyside derby the same year he joined Liverpool, helping his team keep a clean sheet. He would go on to make 33 derby appearances, with his last coming in February 1990 when the Reds won 2-1. His stellar defending at Liverpool earned him the nickname Jockey.

5. Steven Gerrard – 33

Steven Gerrard spent almost his entire football career at Liverpool. He joined the Reds as a youth player in 1989 aged nine and then made his senior appearance in 1998. The legendary midfielder spent the next 17 years playing in the Premier League and would go on to make 33 appearances in the Merseyside derby. Gerrard spent his last season as a footballer in the MLS playing for LA Galaxy and then began his coaching career. The 43-year-old is now the manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.

Steven Gerrard. Photo/ Eurosport.

6. Kevin Ratcliffe – 32 

Kevin Ratcliffe is one of most popular names among Everton fans. The Welshman joined the Toffees in 1980 and spent twelve years at the club, making 461 appearances. He faced Liverpool 32 times and once scored a screamer at Anfield from 30 yards. His first derby appearance was in January 1981 when Everton secured a famous 2-1 win over Bob Paisley’s side to knock them out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.