As home to two football powerhouses, Liverpool hosts countless exciting matches at Anfield and Goodison Park every year. But some stand out from the rest, whether for their unpredictable flow, off-field drama, or sheer spectacle. And the Merseyside derby always grabs the headlines. So, what’s the greatest, most famous, or most thrilling match in the city’s history? That’s a tough one, but we’ll try to tackle it on iliverpool.info.
Top contenders
Just how many matches could be considered Liverpool’s greatest is clear from the lively debate on this page. Although the users were focused specifically on Liverpool FC, it shows how tricky the question is. But with plenty of opinions, there’s a lot to choose from. So let’s take a look at a few options in no particular order.
- 1977. Liverpool v Saint-Étienne (2-0, European Cup, Anfield). A legendary evening at Anfield where the Reds overcame a strong French side to reach the final.
- 2019. Liverpool v Barcelona (4-0, Champions League, Anfield). One of the most incredible comebacks in football history, as Liverpool overturned a 0-3 first-leg deficit against the Catalans.
- 1986. Liverpool v Everton (3-1, First Division, Anfield). A dramatic Merseyside derby that decided the league title.
- 1988. Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (5-0, First Division, Anfield). Many consider this Liverpool’s best-ever performance, as their dominance was total and relentless.
- 2009. Liverpool v Arsenal (4-4, Premier League, Anfield). A thrilling eight-goal match featuring a four-goal haul from Andrey Arshavin and a dramatic conclusion.
- 1984. Liverpool v Panathinaikos (4-0, European Cup, Anfield). A convincing European victory that once again proved the club’s strength and the power of their home ground.
- 2008. Liverpool v Chelsea (4-4, Champions League, Anfield). A chaotic and spectacular Champions League semi-final.
- 1970. Everton v Liverpool (2-2, First Division, Goodison Park). A classic derby with an incredible plot and brilliant goals from both sides.
- 1991. Everton v Liverpool (4-4, FA Cup, Goodison Park). An epic eight-goal cup derby that needed a replay to decide a winner.
- 2014. Liverpool v Manchester City (3-2, Premier League, Anfield). A tense title decider where Liverpool’s sheer will to win earned them the victory.
All these matches took place in Liverpool and are famous for their drama and historical significance. So tell us, what matters more? An unbelievable comeback? A heated derby clash? Or the weight of a trophy on the line? It’s a proper head-scratcher!
Fascinating facts about the Merseyside derby
The Merseyside derby is one of the most important rivalries in English football. The clash between Liverpool and Everton dates back to the late 19th century and has gone far beyond just sport. The Merseyside derby is often called the “friendly derby” because many families in Liverpool have supporters of both clubs.
The Stadiums
The clubs share a common history, as Everton were the first club to play at Anfield, before Liverpool FC was even founded.
It all began in 1884, when Everton moved from their previous ground at Priory Road because it couldn’t handle the large crowds. Anfield’s owner, John Houlding, leased the stadium to Everton. But in 1891, a dispute over rising rent led Everton to move to a new stadium, Goodison Park. Houlding then founded Liverpool FC, who stayed at Anfield and went on to become one of the giants of European football.
The Matches
As of early 2025, there have been 243 Merseyside derbies between Liverpool and Everton. Liverpool has the upper hand with 99 wins compared to Everton’s 67, while 77 matches have ended in a draw.
The games are often full of fouls and the tension is palpable until the very end, but the scoreline doesn’t always reflect the drama. In 2023, for example, Liverpool sealed a convincing 2-0 victory over Everton. Although the game was low-scoring, it was a high-quality match.
Political and Cultural Parallels
The Merseyside derby has a unique atmosphere because sport and local history are intertwined. In the 20th century, Liverpool suffered an economic decline, which had a massive impact on its social fabric. Supporting a football club became a way to preserve a sense of identity. What’s interesting is that fans of both clubs often live next door to each other or even in the same family. This contrasts with many other derbies, where the rivalry is often much more hostile. In Liverpool, the derby is more of a friendly expression of rivalry than an outright conflict.
Records and Emotions
Despite what’s been said, this rivalry holds the record for the most red cards in the Premier League. One game in particular, a 2-1 Liverpool win at Goodison Park in 2007, featured a controversial red card for Tony Hibbert that sent Everton fans into a frenzy. Moments like these turn every match into a real spectacle, where more than just three points are at stake.
The epic 1991 FA Cup derby
So, our favourite is a derby between fierce rivals. And to be specific, it’s the cup derby mentioned above, where a whopping eight goals were scored!
The match between Everton and Liverpool on 20 February 1991 at Goodison Park went down in history as one of the most thrilling Merseyside derbies ever. This FA Cup fifth-round tie was expected to be tense, but nobody could have predicted such a dramatic eight-goal encounter.
Liverpool, then managed by Kenny Dalglish, were looking to cement their position after a few inconsistent games that season. Meanwhile, Everton, under Howard Kendall, were going through a difficult period but were determined to put on a show for the 37,766 fans who packed the stadium.
Key moments of the game:
- First half. Liverpool went ahead with a goal from Peter Beardsley, who capitalised on a rebound after a shot from Ian Rush.
- Second half. Graeme Sharp equalised early in the second half. However, Beardsley soon put Liverpool back in front with a brilliant left-footed strike.
- Drama until the end. Everton constantly found an answer to their rivals’ goals. Tony Cottee was particularly outstanding, scoring two crucial goals, including the deciding one in extra time to make it 4-4.
This match was a rollercoaster for both sets of fans, as the constant twists and turns had their hearts in their mouths. Although the game ended in a draw, its consequences were momentous: just two days after the match, Kenny Dalglish unexpectedly resigned as Liverpool’s manager.
The game is remembered for its uncompromising play, numerous defensive errors, and both teams’ ability to turn chaos into spectacular football. According to commentator Martin Tyler, it was “a classic derby that had everything.”
But someone might ask: why is this the best derby?
Apart from the high score, the match showed the resilience of two strong teams and their desire to fight to the last. Although the final whistle didn’t find a winner, both clubs gave the fans an attacking and no-holds-barred performance that day!