5 best Merseyside derbies of the Premier League era
By James Dudko
Liverpool face Everton at Anfield on Sunday. Ahead of the match, here are the best Merseyside derbies in the Premier League era.
Jurgen Klopp’s “heavy metal” against Sam Allardyce’s “19th-century football” doesn’t sound like the makings for a classic. But put these two head-to-head in a Merseyside derby and the prospects for something memorable improve.
Allardyce and his Everton side will attempt to stop Liverpool and Klopp’s goal-rush at Anfield this Sunday. History says to expect goals, a red card or two and perhaps a penalty for good measure.
Here are the five best Merseyside derbies of the Premier League era:
5. Everton 2-2 Liverpool, October 2012
What happens when a manager accuses the opposition’s top striker of diving? Well, if you’re Luis Suarez and playing for Liverpool in 2012 you give the Reds the lead in the derby and swallow dive at the feet of the Everton manager, a sour-looking David Moyes.
Suarez had seen his shot deflect off left-back Leighton Baines to give Liverpool an early advantage. He soon saw a clever header find the back of the net to put the Toffees in deeper trouble in front of home support.
In between, the Uruguayan who was determined to have center stage all to himself should have seen red for a challenge on Sylvain Distin.
Everton took out their frustration by erasing their local rivals’ two-goal lead. First, Leon Osman got one back, before Steven Naismith drew the home side level.
Suarez still could, and should, have had the last laugh, though. He scored what looked like the winner in injury time, only to be erroneously flagged for offside.
In terms of controversy, indelible images and late drama, it’s hard to beat the 219th edition of the Merseyside derby.