30 best soccer rivalries in the world

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Shirts bearing the names of Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF are seen on display at a merchandise stall prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

18 of 30

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) (NO SALES) In this handout image provided by Liverpool FC, members of the congregation hold aloft Everton and Liverpool scarves during the 24th Hillsborough Anniversary Memorial Service at Anfield on April 15, 2013 in Liverpool, England. Thousands of fans, friends and relatives took part in the service at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium to mark the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. A total of 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives during a crush at an FA Cup semi final against Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough football ground in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1989. (Photo by Liverpool FC via Getty Images) /

13. Liverpool vs Everton

The pure size of these two teams incites the rivalry between them. It is also doesn’t help that the homes of both clubs are separated by less than a mile. Only Stanley Park sits between the two giants, and often, it has not been enough.

In fact, Everton’s first home ground was Anfield. It wasn’t until rent disputes forced the club across the park and into Goodison. The owners of Anfield were then looking for a new club, and lo and behold, Liverpool came knocking, and the two stadiums have been the homes of both teams ever since.

Once known as the friendly derby, Liverpool vs Everton was a competitive match, yet, lacked the intensity and aggression that many other English local derbies possessed. It isn’t uncommon to find families with split allegiances, sons and fathers supporting the blue and red halves, brothers and sisters arguing over whether Alan Ball or King Kenny Dalglish is the best to ever tie up a pair of football boots on Merseyside.

However, since the scintillating success of the great Liverpool sides of the 1980s, the rivalry between the two clubs has grown and grown. Rather than looking inland towards their great enemy of Manchester, the fans looked at each other with jealousy, hatred and bitterness.

Since the inception of the Premier League, no game has had more red cards. Described as “toxic in the stands, brutal on the pitch,” it is the one game that no Liverpudlian can dare to lose. The Merseyside derby has had some major moments. Two FA Cup finals were won by Liverpool in the 1980s, Liverpool again more recently won an FA Cup semi-final with an 87th minute header from Andy Carroll, and both have consistently competed for the English title.

The bragging rights of the city are on the line every time, and that is a prized possession.

Home/Soccer