The most recent “Match of the Day” (MOT) level clash between Liverpool and Everton occurred on September 20, 2025, where Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory at Anfield. In this high-stakes Premier League encounter, Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead shortly before the half-hour mark. Despite a spirited second-half response from Everton, capped by an Idrissa Gana Gueye goal in the 58th minute, the Reds held on to claim the 247th Merseyside derby bragging rights. As of March 2026, Liverpool currently sits 5th in the Premier League table with 48 points, while Everton follows closely in 8th place with 43 points. The next scheduled league meeting between these historic rivals is set for April 19, 2026, at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Recent Merseyside Derby Results
The rivalry remains one of the most balanced and fiercely contested fixtures in English football. Recent seasons have seen a mix of dominant displays and tightly fought draws that keep fans on both sides of the Stanley Park divide on edge.
September 2025: Anfield Victory
Liverpool’s 2-1 win in September 2025 was defined by a clinical first-half performance. Ryan Gravenberch became the youngest player in the derby’s history to both score and assist in a single match, highlighting the club’s successful transition under the leadership of Arne Slot.
2024–2025 Season Overviews
During the previous campaign, results were split, including a 1-0 Liverpool win at home and a dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park. These matches underscored the defensive resilience Everton has built under their current tactical setup, often frustrating the high-powered Liverpool attack.
Key Players and Tactical Battles
The “Match of the Day” analysis often focuses on the individual duels that decide the outcome of the derby. In 2026, several new faces have integrated into the classic Liverpool vs. Everton narrative.
Hugo Ekitike’s Scoring Form
Hugo Ekitike has emerged as a primary threat for the Reds, currently leading their scoring charts with 11 goals this season. His movement and finishing were the difference-makers in the last derby, proving he can handle the pressure of the city’s biggest game.
Everton’s Creative Core
For the Toffees, Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have become the creative heartbeat of the side. Grealish’s ability to draw fouls and Dewsbury-Hall’s late runs into the box caused significant problems for the Liverpool backline in their most recent meeting.
Current League Standings 2026
As the 2025–2026 season enters its final stretch, both clubs are fighting for European qualification. The gap between the two has narrowed significantly compared to previous years.
| Position | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
| 5 | Liverpool | 29 | +9 | 48 |
| 8 | Everton | 29 | +1 | 43 |
Liverpool is currently chasing a Champions League spot, trailing 4th-placed Aston Villa by just three points. Everton, meanwhile, is firmly in the hunt for a Conference League or Europa League position, showing remarkable consistency throughout the spring.
Injury News and Team Availability
Heading into the late March international break, both squads are managing significant injury concerns that could impact the upcoming April derby.
Liverpool Training Room
The Reds are currently without Wataru Endo (broken ankle) and Conor Bradley (knee), both of whom are expected to be out until May. Most notably, star forward Alexander Isak is recovering from a broken leg and is targeted for a mid-April return.
Everton Medical Updates
Everton manager David Moyes is dealing with the absence of Jack Grealish, who suffered a broken foot and is sidelined until May. Seamus Coleman and Carlos Alcaraz are both nearing returns from minor knocks and are expected back in late March.
Rivalry Origins
The Merseyside Derby began in 1892 when Everton FC vacated Anfield due to a rent dispute with owner John Houlding. Houlding formed Liverpool FC to fill the stadium, igniting a rivalry rooted in geography, class divides, and local pride—Everton representing working-class Toffees, Liverpool the ambitious newcomers. Their first competitive meeting came in October 1894 in the Lancashire League, ending 3-0 to Everton at Anfield.
This split turned neighbors into bitter foes, with Anfield’s transformation symbolizing Liverpool’s rise. Early games featured high scores, like Liverpool’s 7-1 thrashing in 1894, setting a tone of end-to-end action. The rivalry quickly embedded in Liverpool’s identity, dividing pubs, streets, and families across Merseyside.
By the early 1900s, both clubs were established in the Football League, clashing twice yearly. Everton’s 1904-05 title win over Liverpool fueled early tensions, while shared city status amplified every result. Today, this origin story explains the raw emotion, with no love lost despite proximity—just 2 miles between stadiums.
First Meetings Breakdown
Liverpool and Everton’s inaugural clash occurred September 13, 1894, in a friendly at Anfield, where Liverpool won 3-0 before a modest crowd. The competitive debut followed in October 1894, with Everton reversing it 3-0 in the Lancashire League, showcasing their edge from playing at Anfield previously. These games averaged four goals, highlighting attacking football of the era without modern defenses.
Records show 245 total meetings by 2025 across all competitions, with Liverpool leading 100 wins to Everton’s 66, and 79 draws. Pre-WWII derbies often saw huge crowds, like 50,000 at Goodison in 1930s thrillers. Key early pattern: Home advantage ruled, with Anfield rarely breached until Everton’s 1999 upset.
Deeper context reveals social layers—Everton fans boycotted Anfield post-split, birthing Goodison loyalty. These foundations shaped derby DNA: Passionate, unpredictable, and tied to Liverpool’s industrial soul.
Head-to-Head Stats
Liverpool dominate the overall record with 93 wins, Everton 66, and 75 draws from 234 league games alone. In Premier League era (1992-2026), Liverpool hold 25 wins to Everton’s 7, with 14 draws, averaging 2.5 goals per game. Biggest win: Liverpool’s 6-0 in 1935 at Anfield; Everton’s best 4-0 in 1982 at Goodison.
Recent form favors Liverpool, unbeaten in 15 straight derbies by 2023 before Everton’s 2024 draw. Top scorers: Ian Rush (25 goals for Liverpool), Graeme Sharp (19 for Everton). Clean sheets tilt Liverpool 45% vs Everton’s 30%, per historical data.
Stats evolve with eras—1960s saw draws galore (20%), while Klopp’s high press yielded 70% Liverpool wins post-2015. These numbers fuel debates, with Everton claiming moral victories in tight losses.
League vs Cup Records
League derbies total 234 meetings, Liverpool 86-66-82. FA Cup sees Liverpool 13-5-6 edge, including 5-0 finals wins. League Cup: Even at 3-3-2, with Everton’s 2014 penalty shootout heroics.
Cup games add drama—Everton’s 1966 FA Cup upset at Anfield shocked. Aggregate, Liverpool’s 40% win rate holds across formats.
Iconic Historic Matches
Everton’s 2-0 Anfield win in 2021 ended 22-year top-flight drought away, with goals from Richarlison and Michael Keane stunning Klopp’s side. Liverpool’s 3-2 April 2001 thriller saw Gary McAllister’s 94th-minute free-kick clinch Champions League qualification after Everton led 2-1 with 10 men Reds. 2013’s 3-3 Goodison epic featured Romelu Lukaku’s header, only for Daniel Sturridge to equalize late.
1935’s 6-0 Liverpool rout humiliated Everton mid-title chase, with Gordon Hodgson hat-trick. 1989’s 3-2 Anfield win for Liverpool came amid Hillsborough tragedy grief, John Aldridge scoring twice. These games define eras, blending skill, controversy, and stakes.
Each match layers lore—1999’s 3-2 Liverpool comeback after Everton’s early lead; 2018’s 1-0 Trent Alexander-Arnold corner winner. Fans relive footage yearly, etching them in derby mythology.
21st Century Derby Moments
Liverpool’s 4-0 2021 Anfield demolition featured a Mohamed Salah hat-trick, signaling dominance. Everton’s 2022 2-2 draw denied title-chasing Liverpool, with Mason Holgate’s screamer. 2024’s 2-0 Everton win at Goodison, Beto and McNeil scoring, marked the stadium’s near-final derby triumph.
Salah’s 10 derby goals lead the modern era, surpassing Rush temporarily. VAR controversies abound, like 2023’s disputed penalty. High press vs counter exposes tactics. Post-pandemic, crowds hit 50,000+, amplifying the atmosphere. These games influence title races, relegation scraps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the last Liverpool vs. Everton match?
Liverpool won the most recent derby 2-1 on September 20, 2025, with goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike.
Is Alexander Isak playing in the next derby?
Isak is currently recovering from a broken leg; while he is targeted for a mid-April return, his availability for the April 19 clash remains uncertain.
Who is Everton’s top creative player this season?
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish have been the primary playmakers, though Grealish is currently sidelined with a foot injury.
Are there any suspended players for the next match?
Currently, there are no high-profile suspensions, but several players are one yellow card away from a one-match ban heading into the spring fixtures.
How can I watch the Merseyside derby highlights?
Highlights are broadcast on BBC’s Match of the Day (MOT) on Saturday nights, with digital clips available on the Sky Sports and TNT Sports apps.
Final Thoughts
The landscape of the Merseyside derby in 2026 reflects a significant shift in the balance of power within the city. While Liverpool continues to chase elite European qualification under the tactical evolution of Arne Slot, Everton has transformed into a resilient top-half contender under David Moyes, currently sitting in 8th place with 43 points. The most recent 2-1 victory for Liverpool in September 2025 underscored the clinical nature of the Reds’ new-look attack, particularly through Hugo Ekitike, but it also highlighted an Everton side that is no longer easily intimidated at Anfield.
As both teams prepare for the high-stakes rematch on April 19, 2026, the narrative is dominated by a grueling injury crisis affecting both squads. With superstars like Alexander Isak and Jack Grealish fighting to return from long-term layoffs, the depth of both rosters will be tested at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. This upcoming clash is not just about local bragging rights; it is a pivotal battle for European spots that could define the success of the 2025–2026 season for both the Red and Blue halves of Liverpool.
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