The Liverpool – Everton rivalry doesn’t have the divisiveness that other ones seem to have. There are no major religious, socio-economic or political factors that contribute to the rivalry – just color. The Red of Liverpool against the Blue of Everton. Maybe it is also due to the good sense of humor of Liverpool people that the Everton-Liverpool rivalry has never been allowed to get out of hand. People realize that ultimately, it is still just a football game.

For the most part, Liverpool has its hands filled with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea so when it comes to the Everton – Liverpool rivalry it is nice for them to play the Derby in a less intense, more relaxed atmosphere. Together the two teams are proud Liverpudlians. They take pride in having won 27 league titles between them and the fact that neither of them has never been out of the top flight in the same year as the other.

No one questions that Liverpool is the bigger or strong of the two but when it comes to the Everton – Liverpool rivalry, Everton has also had its moments. Everton knocked Liverpool out of the 2009 FA Cup with a Dan Gosling winner late in a fourth round replay at Anfield. In fact some of the most memorable games of the Liverpool – Everton rivalry have happened in the FA Cup.

Most notably there was a 4-4 draw in the 1991 FA Cup which would ultimately cost Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish his job. The two met in FA Cup Finals in the 1980s with Liverpool victorious in both. The first was in 1986 when Liverpool were trying to achieve the double. They were loaded with stars such as Alan Hansen, Ian Rush and Steve Nicol. Similarly the Everton side with Gary Lineker, Graeme Sharp and Kevin Ratcliffe was a strong side. Lineker opened the scoring with a goal in the 27th minute and it stayed 1-0 at the half. Three second half goals to Liverpool gave them the Cup; Rush scored a double while Craig Johnston scored the other.

Three years later the two met again in the FA Cup final and in the wake of the Hillsborough Disaster this was more than fitting. John Aldridge opened the scoring in the fourth minute and it looked like it was going to end 1-0. Everton’s Stuart McCall had other ideas when he scored in the 89th minute with one of the finest goals ever witnessed in an FA Cup Final. In extra time, Ian Rush scored only for McCall to again equalize. Rush would score again and that would be that. Liverpool won 3-2.

After the glory days of the 1980s, Everton struggled and few lucky on a number of occasions to avoid relegation. They were only a shadow of their former self until David Moyes came on board as manager. He injected some steel into Everton and the Everton – Liverpool rivalry was back to how it used to be. In 2006, Everton defeated Liverpool 3-0. Everton hadn’t scored this many goals in a Merseyside Derby since 1966 and hadn’t scored that many in a Derby at Goodison Park for almost 100 years.

One of the interesting things about the Liverpool-Everton rivalry is how many players grow up as fans of one half of the rivalry and then end up playing for the other. Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler. Steven McMahon, Steve McManaman, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard all grew up supporting Everton. On the flipside, Leon Osman, Peter Reid and Dave Watson all grew up supporting Liverpool. Everton will feel as though they can’t take a trick – with even their fans going on to became fantastic players for Liverpool. They definitely have come off second best in that trade-off.

A number of players have played for both clubs. Nick Barmby was the first player in 40 years to move directly from Everton to Liverpool. His £6m transfer is the most that Liverpool have ever paid Everton. For once, Everton was able to get the last laugh at Liverpool’s expense. Former Liverpool champion, Peter Beadsley was Everton’s most expensive signing from Liverpool. He cost Everton £1m and while he was a reasonable buy, he was never able to reproduce the scintillating for he displayed for Liverpool. Some players such as Steven McMahon, Don Hutchinson and Sander Westerveld played for other clubs in between before ‘crossing the park’.

The Everton – Liverpool rivalry has been responsible for turning players in to legends. Players such as Neville Southall, Ian Rush, Dixie Dean and Roger Hunt became well known for their exploits in the Merseyside Derby. Southhall has appeard the most Merseyside Derbies and he has also had the most clean sheets.

Ian Rush made a name for himself in the Liverpool – Everton rivalry when he scored four goals in 1982 against Everton. He also has the most goals in the Liverpool-Everton rivalry. Liverpool won 5-0 at Goodison Park which matches the biggest away win in an Everton-Liverpool game. Liverpool’s 6-0 in the 1935/36 season remains the biggest home win.

Occasionally Everton has been responsible for bringing Liverpool down to earth. In March 1988, Liverpool had been unbeaten in their previous 29 league games. Wayne Clarke isn’t remembered for much but he is well known in Liverpool-Everton folklore for scoring the winner that snapped Liverpool’s unbeaten streak. This is what the power of the Everton-Liverpool rivalry achieves. You can have an illustrious career spanning 10 years or you can be making your debut. Do something in the Merseyside Derby and you can become immortal for it. In the case of the former, this is all what people will remember you for and in the case of the latter, it is the reason you will be remembered.