• Top tens

Memorable Merseyside derby moments

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish knows all about the pressures of a derby with Everton © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Dalglish hints at no January signings
  
• News: Dalglish coy on Carra coaching role talk
  
• News: Moyes rules out Neville move to Spurs
  
• News: Dalglish admits Liverpool return is a 'great honour'
  
• News: Defiant Moyes says he won't quit Goodison Park
  

In recent years it has often been referred to as 'the friendly derby' - when the battle lines are drawn within a living room, as many on Merseyside are for this game - but that doesn't mean games between Liverpool and Everton haven't had their flashpoints down the years.

With Kenny Dalglish, a throwback to that 1980s era of Liverpudlian domination, returning to the occasion as Reds manager for the first time in almost 20 years, ESPN though it was time to look back on the ten most memorable Merseyside derby moments of recent times...

Cottee's comeback crushes King Kenny: Everton 4 Liverpool 4, 1991
LL Cool J's hit of March that year, 'Mama Said Knock You Out', might have been an apt soundtrack to this FA Cup clash, an Everton successfully managed to fulfil Mrs Cool J's instructions, albeit in narrow fashion after a replay Anfield. The first lyric of LL's rap masterpiece, 'Don't call it a comeback' would not fit so well, however, with the thrilling first meeting - certainly considering Everton came from behind on no less than four occasions to ensure they lived to fight another day. Peter Beardsley (twice), Ian Rush and John Barnes had all put the Reds ahead at different points in the game, but Graeme Sharp (twice) and then Tony Cottee (once just before full-time, and then again in extra-time) ensured a rematch would be required to find a winner. Liverpool's goals may all have been of genuine quality, with Everton's a somewhat scrappy collection, but the end result was the same. The next day Kenny Dalglish would give the game added significance, as he resigned from his position as manager citing an inability to deal with the stress of management.

Sharp's one-man war: Liverpool 0 Everton 1, 1984
The champions of Europe and England took on the FA Cup holders vying for their crown in a game that, for one season at least, changed the balance of power on Merseyside. Everton had made a fine start to the season and headed to Anfield in high spirits. That was clear as they dominated throughout, before Graeme Sharp's piece of sublime individual skill (taking a lofted ball down with one touch, then volleying beyond Bruce Grobbelaar from 25 yards) settled the scoreline. The Toffees would subsequently go on to win the league title in emphatic fashion.

Ian Rush, the top scorer in the derby's history, finds another to clinch the 1986 FA Cup © Getty Images

Enlarge

Rush completes the double: Liverpool 3 Everton 1, 1986
There is nothing quite like the stage of an FA Cup final for settling local disputes. Liverpool and Everton would meet in charged circumstances at the home of football - and in front of almost the entire nation (this being a time when both ITV and BBC broadcast the match). It was a big occasion for the Reds, who were chasing the first Double in the club's history, after Dalglish had earlier secured the First Division title with his goal against Chelsea. Once the game began a Gary Lineker strike put the fans on edge, but an equaliser from Rush, a second from Craig Johnston and then an emphatic third from Rush, whose shot memorably hit the camera inside the goal, ensured Liverpool could celebrate an historic achievement.

Kuyt flying high: Everton 1 Liverpool 2, 2007
Another moment to savour for the red half of the city, as Liverpool ventured into enemy territory and - thanks to a certain amount of help from the referee - came away with the spoils. An error from Sami Hyypia put the hosts ahead, but Dirk Kuyt soon equalised from the penalty spot after Tony Hibbert had been sent off. Then, deep into injury time, the Reds were awarded another chance from 12 yards after Phil Neville spectacularly saved Lucas Leiva's goal-bound effort. Kuyt stepped up once again and, despite the hostile reception of 30,000 Everton fans, slotted just beyond Tim Howard's outstretched hand to conclude a dramatic turnaround.

Cadamarteri shows youth is no barrier: Everton 2 Liverpool 0, 1997
With a footballing history as long as that which exists between Liverpool and Everton, records are hard to truly verify - but if you were to look for the youngest goalscorer in the history of the derby then Danny Cadamarteri would probably be your man. Cadamarteri might be an unlikely hero, especially considering the downward trajectory of his subsequent career, but the way he stormed onto the scene, just days after his 18th birthday, had Goodison Park marvelling about an academy product long before the surname 'Rooney' ever made a matchday programme. Put ahead through Neil Ruddock's own goal, the Toffees were simply holding on for their first home win against their rivals since 1994 when the ball fell to Cadamarteri just inside the Liverpool half. Showing a pace and poise that was rarely to be repeated - in future it would more often come from Liverpool's own vaunted youngster that day, Michael Owen - the dreadlocked teenager evaded the challenges of various defenders before blasting home beyond David James, etching his name into the record books at his earliest opportunity.

Dan Gosling celebrates his late, late goal to put Liverpool out of the FA Cup © Getty Images

Enlarge

Gosling shows up Liverpool's ugly ducklings: Everton 1 Liverpool 0, 2009
Early adopters of high-definition television might have missed the decisive goal, thanks to an inopportune commercial break from the broadcaster, but for everyone else this was another moment to add to the list of dramatic Merseyside cup ties. The two sides had endured an even but uninspired 90 minutes in their fourth round replay (having previously drawn 1-1 at Anfield) and with extra-time winding down a goal to break the monotony looked unlikely. That is until the ball found 19-year-old Dan Gosling in the box. With just three minutes left and Rafa Benitez's Liverpool ready to settle for penalties, Gosling showed a flash of inspiration that had been missing throughout to drag the ball between two defenders and smoothly curl a shot beyond Pepe Reina from just 10 yards out. The teenager was swamped by team-mates in the ensuing celebrations, an enthralling end to a tense encounter.

A city built bathing in its own success: Everton 0 Liverpool 1, 1966
The result of this Charity Shield clash is arguably not as significant as the events that preceded it. It is often said that West Ham - with Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters - won England the World Cup, but this first game back at the domestic level after that defining triumph (Goodison Park hosted the encounter) painted a different picture. Prior to kick-off Liverpool's Roger Hunt and Everton's Ray Wilson paraded the Jules Rimet trophy they had helped to win, before Everton brought out their FA Cup trophy and the Reds the league title for the crowd to applaud. At that moment, the city of Liverpool was united in mutual appreciation of its own greatness. Hunt's goal would eventually settle the game.

Poll results called into question: Everton 0 Liverpool 0, 2000
It has to be a suitably dramatic scoreless draw to get into a list of most memorable matches, but the final few minutes of this first encounter of the new millennium certainly fits that bill. The focus, perhaps unsurprisingly, was referee Graham Poll, who hardly endeared himself to the locals after disallowing a late goal for the home side. Deep in injury time, goalkeeper Sander Westerveld's upfield kick ricocheted off the back of Everton's Don Hutchison and into the net. Poll - who would go on to embarrass himself with a three-card trick at the 2006 World Cup - ruled out the 'strike', claiming that he had already blown for full-time (something TV replays would soon dispute). Only ten years later, with the release of his autobiography, would Poll final apologise to Everton fans for a decision he admitted was wrong.

Gary McAllister would prove one of Gerard Houllier's most inspired purchases, especially after his derby contribution © Getty Images

Enlarge

McAllister proves his worth: Everton 2 Liverpool 3, 2001
Now this was a typical Merseyside derby: goals, mistakes, penalties, sendings off - this game had it all. Emile Heskey put the Reds ahead early on, but Gwladys Street hero Duncan Ferguson soon pegged them back. Markus Babbel put Gerard Houllier's side back ahead shortly after, before Robbie Fowler missed his chance to clinch the game from the penalty spot. David Unsworth was then handed an identical chance to level it up which he took, before Igor Biscan was sent-off for a late challenge. With the game winding down, Gary McAllister - signed amid some consternation earlier in the season to provide Liverpool with some spine - curled in a 44-yard free-kick that eluded everyone but the back of the net to decide the game. The veteran's strike was vital in helping the club secure Champions League qualification, in a campaign where they also completed a famous UEFA, FA and League Cup treble.

Emotion is the Wembley way: Liverpool 3 Everton 2, 1989
Almost 23 years on from that buoyant Charity Shield encounter, the two sides met again in thoroughly different, but equally emotional, circumstances. The Hillsborough disaster cast a huge shadow of the reminder of the 1988/89 season, and indeed Liverpool did well to find the resolve to beat Nottingham Forest in their re-arranged semi-final to set up a clash with the old enemy at all. During a poignant day at Wembley - which began with the crowd being led in a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' by Gerry Marsden - Liverpool looked to be in control throughout, with John Aldridge netting inside the first five minutes, but a last-gasp equaliser from Stuart McCall would send the game to extra-time. McCall, improbably, would score again, but only either side of two goals from Ian Rush, which were enough to secure a victory and trophy that by then had rather diminished in significance.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.