Everton v Liverpool: Key Stats Ahead of the Last Goodison Park Derby | OneFootball

Everton v Liverpool: Key Statistics Ahead of the Merseyside Derby

The Merseyside derby returns to Goodison Park on Wednesday night, promising a clash rich in history, rivalry, and compelling statistics. This fixture, rescheduled from December due to adverse weather, will kick off at 7.30pm GMT and carries added significance—it marks Liverpool’s final visit to Goodison Park before Everton’s impending move to their new stadium.

Historical Significance and Milestones

This will be the 245th official meeting between Liverpool and Everton, with the Reds making their 122nd and final appearance at Goodison Park, a venue that has hosted two FA Cup semi-finals featuring these fierce rivals. Both sides have claimed 41 victories each at Goodison, alongside 37 draws, underlining the balanced nature of their battles on Everton’s turf.

Liverpool are on the brink of a century of wins against Everton across all competitions. They currently sit at 99 victories, with 77 draws and 68 defeats. A win on Wednesday would make them only the fifth English league side to record 100 wins over a single opponent since the Football League’s inception in 1888—joining Arsenal (111 v Everton), Manchester United (106 v Aston Villa), Liverpool (103 v Aston Villa), and Arsenal (100 v Manchester City).

Recent Form and Derby Dynamics

Despite their dominance in the rivalry, Liverpool have faced occasional setbacks. They’ve lost only two of their last 27 Premier League games against Everton (12 wins, 13 draws), with those rare defeats occurring in February 2021 (2-0 at Anfield) and April 2024 (2-0 at Goodison Park). The latter result snapped Liverpool’s 12-game unbeaten away run in the Premier League against Everton, which had seen them win three and draw nine.

Liverpool have not suffered consecutive defeats at Goodison Park since a three-match streak between 1992 and 1994. However, history hints at caution: on both previous occasions the Reds entered an away league game against Everton with an unbeaten run of 19+ matches, they lost—1-0 in October 1978 after 23 games unbeaten, and 1-0 in March 1988 following a 31-game streak.

For Everton, victory on Wednesday would mark their first consecutive league wins over Liverpool since the 1984-85 season. The Toffees have momentum on their side, having won their last three Premier League matches by an aggregate score of 8-2—a stark contrast to their previous 21 league games, where they managed just three wins.

Photo: IMAGO

Tactical Insights and Player Highlights

Arne Slot faces his first Merseyside derby as Liverpool manager, and history isn’t exactly on his side. Only one Reds boss has won their first league Merseyside derby away from home—Kenny Dalglish, who oversaw a 3-2 victory in September 1985.

Liverpool remain the only unbeaten side away from home in England’s top four tiers this season (12 games: nine wins, three draws). This is only the third time in Premier League history that they face Everton while topping the table—the previous instances in 2019-20 resulted in a 5-2 win and a 0-0 draw, with the Reds ultimately clinching the title.

Statistically, Liverpool dominate the league in key metrics: goals scored (56), expected goals (xG) at 54.7, total shots (411), shots on target (159), and big chances created (100). They’ve led in 47% of their matches this season—the highest in the division.

Mohamed Salah continues to shine, having been directly involved in 21 goals across Liverpool’s 12 Premier League away games this season (13 goals, eight assists). This equals the record for most goal contributions on the road in a single Premier League campaign, alongside Andrew Cole’s 1993-94 tally (12 goals, nine assists).

Everton, under David Moyes, have shown resilience, particularly in defence. They’ve kept nine clean sheets this season, only bettered by Liverpool and Nottingham Forest (10 each). Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s stalwart between the sticks, boasts seven clean sheets in 10 league appearances against Everton, further solidifying the Reds’ defensive prowess.

Photo IMAGO

Managers in Focus: Slot v Moyes

David Moyes returns to the Merseyside derby as Everton’s manager for the first time since May 2013, when his side secured a goalless draw at Anfield. Across his tenure from 2002 to 2013, Moyes managed 22 Premier League derbies, winning three, drawing seven, and losing 12. Wednesday’s fixture marks his 43rd career match against Liverpool, making him one of only eight managers to have faced the Reds this frequently.

Arne Slot, meanwhile, will be eager to leave his mark on the derby. His side’s impressive away form and attacking statistics make Liverpool the favourites, but Everton’s recent resurgence suggests they’ll be no pushovers.

Milestones on the Horizon

Several Liverpool players are set to reach significant milestones. Ryan Gravenberch could make his 50th league appearance for the Reds, while Luis Diaz is poised for his 100th start in all competitions. These personal landmarks add another layer of intrigue to an already fascinating encounter.

Derby Drama: Expect the Unexpected

The Merseyside derby holds a unique place in English football, known for its intensity and unpredictability. It’s the fixture with the most red cards (23) and the highest number of goalless draws (12) in Premier League history. Liverpool have also scored more 90th-minute winners against Everton (five) than any other team has managed against a single opponent in the competition.

As both sides prepare for this historic showdown, the statistics tell one story, but the pitch may reveal another. Whether it’s a landmark win for Liverpool, a statement victory for Everton, or another chapter in this storied rivalry, Wednesday’s derby is set to deliver all the drama fans have come to expect.