Assessing the Final Everton vs Liverpool Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park

This season will make the final league game between rivals Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park. The Toffees have played at the iconic stadium since 1892 but will leave at the end of the 2024/25 campaign for a new site at Bramley Moore Dock. Having meant to have played in early December, the match had to be postponed and will be played at a later date.

So, looking ahead, who is likely to win the last Goodison encounter between the Blues and the Reds? This article will run you through everything you need to know for this famous fixture which will truly mark the end of an era.

Why was the Original Match Postponed?

Everton and Liverpool were set to meet on December 7 but the match was called off on safety grounds due to the severe weather caused by Storm Darragh. Strong winds had hit the UK and with the game being scheduled for a 12.30 kick-off, it was decided that the game should be rearranged for a later date. Fans of both clubs and football lovers around the world were of course disappointed to see such a highly-anticipated match called off but can now look forward to the game and its sure to be a classic.

When will the Game be Played?

The new date for the game has not been confirmed yet though reports claim the fixture has been penciled in for February 11 which is a Tuesday meaning the final Merseyside derby at Goodison would be a night match and therefore played under the lights.

Much depends on Liverpool and the club’s participation in Europe. The date of February 11 does fall on a Champions League matchday when the knockout phase play-offs take place and, as it stands, the Reds are set to avoid this round and jump straight to the last 16 as they currently top the standings in the newly-formatted competition.

Who are the Favourites to Win?

When it comes to the Merseyside derby, some Premier League followers enjoy placing a wager and predicting the outcome of the match to add an extra layer of excitement to the action as it unfolds on the pitch. If you are keen to explore betting on the Everton vs Liverpool match, be sure to explore different platforms and explore casino bonus code options as this can help enhance your gaming experience on matchday.

On the day of the game, Liverpool are likely to be favourites as the Reds are flying high in the table under manager Arne Slot while Everton have spent the entirety of this campaign in the bottom half having failed to win too many games. The Toffees are hard to beat and keep a good number of clean sheets with Jordan Pickford in goal but struggle to put the ball in the net at the other end. The Reds, meanwhile, have been victorious in the vast majority of games, particularly away from home.

Key Players to Watch Out for

Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s main man and continues to have a giant influence on the pitch. The Egypt international is one of the best players and top goalscorers in Reds history and has also played a key part in wins over Everton since his arrival back in 2017. At the back, Virgil van Dijk is hugely important and a rock in defence, together with goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

For Everton, Jarrad Branthwaite helps Everton tick and ensures the Toffees are difficult to beat while stopper Pickford is a genuine matchwinner with his ability to make crucial saves at crucial times. Centre forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Armando Broja will be key going forward but while they are experts at holding the ball up and pinning defenders back, they’ll be keen to start scoring goals in the build-up to the Merseyside derby.

What is the Overall Mersey Derby Record at Goodison Park?

Since the first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Everton and Liverpool have contested 119 matches at the stadium are completely level. The Toffees have won 41 matches, the Reds have won 41 matches and the sides have played out 37 draws. So, the next time Everton and Liverpool meet for the final time, it is a winner takes all match as the victors will have the Goodison Park bragging rights for the rest of time. The Blues will be desperate to not surrender such a record to their city rivals while Liverpool will be determined to triumph in order to write their names in the Goodison history books as the only league club to have a superior record over Everton at the famous ground.

Classic Everton wins over Liverpool at Goodison

In 1978, the Toffees had not beaten Liverpool for seven years and so when Andy King struck and the ball flew into the top corner, the stadium went crazy. Everton battled the Reds at the top throughout the 1980s, winning two league titles and enjoyed wins over their city rivals during the 1990s with striker Duncan Ferguson having a big say in front of goal.

This century, the Blues defeated Liverpool in 2004 courtesy of a Lee Carsley strike which led to Everton clinching a place in the top four ahead of their rivals. Andrew Johnson netted a brace in 2006 as the Toffees ran out 3-0 winners, Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta got a goal each in a 2-0 victory in 2010 and most recently, Branthwaite and Calvert-Lewin got their names on the scoresheet last time out in another two-goal win.

Wrapping Up

The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park is set to be an enthralling encounter. While Liverpool will be the favourites, anything can happen when two rivals meet and Everton will be eager to win the last Mersey clash at home before their big ground move.