David Moyes is speaking from experience when he talks about the size of the gulf between Liverpool and Everton. He battled with Liverpool during his first spell at Goodison between 2002 and 2013 and finished ahead of the Reds in his final two seasons, the last time the Blues achieved this feat. But then Liverpool went one way under Jurgen Klopp and Everton eventually the other as the clubs took up residency at opposite ends of the table.
Everton have won just two of the last 24 derbies ahead of Wednesday’s 120th and last at Goodison Park. Moyes made Everton competitive in the noughties, but it is striking that their last trophy was way back in 1995. The likes of Blackburn, Swansea, Wigan, Birmingham and Middlesbrough have all lifted silverware since then. Liverpool have won 16 major prizes since Dave Watson hoisted aloft the FA Cup at the old Wembley 30 years ago.
It wasn’t always like this and Everton were always the bigger club on Merseyside. They were founded in 1878, were founder members of the Football League in 1888 and Liverpool were only born in 1892 when they fell out with their landlord at Anfield and moved to Goodison Park. They have been in the top flight since 1954, a record only bettered by Arsenal. Liverpool only eclipsed them with Bill Shankly’s second great team, which won the League title and UEFA Cup - the Reds first European trophy - in 1973 and the FA Cup the following season.
Everton came back under Howard Kendall to battle for supremacy with Liverpool in the mid-80s and the two Merseyside clubs won seven titles in a row. This was the heyday of the Merseyside derby and games were played at a frenetic pace as Graeme Souness, then Steve McMahon, and Peter Reid threw themselves into challenges. They were epic contests - Graeme Sharp’s 30-yard winner at Anfield in 1984, Liverpool’s 3-2 win at Goodison the following season, not to mention the Reds’ wins in the 1984 League Cup Final and the 1986 and 1989 FA Cup Finals. Everton won the title in 1985 and 1987, the FA Cup in 1984 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1985.
They were arguably the best team in Europe in 1985, winning the First Division by 13 points, and their European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final second leg, when they came back from a goal down to beat Bayern Munich 3-1 at Goodison is perhaps the Grand Old Lady’s greatest night. The decline after Kendall left in 1987 was only punctuated by that FA Cup success in 1995 as Everton slowly lost their place as one of England’s big five with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham. Now the big five are Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea and Everton are not even an after thought.
While their rivals either redeveloped their homes or moved to new stadiums to boost their income, Everton did neither. Goodison, for all its history, is an anachronism is this shiny era of the Premier League. Their financial problems have meant the likes of Brighton, Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth have overtaken them and the Blues have spent the last four seasons battling relegation. However Everton’s fortunes are about to change and the takeover by The Friedkin Group gives them the financial stability they craved.
Moyes as all but saved them from relegation and their income will get a massive boost when they move into their new home at Bramley Moore Dock. Everton’s matchday income will sky rocket when they swap the old and creaking Goodison, with its 39,414 capacity, for Bramley Moore Dock which can house 52,000. The state-of-the-art stadium, which will host games at Euro 2028, is set on the banks of the Mersey and Everton will reap in extra millions from executive hospitality.
Everton will also be free of the spectacle of PSR in the summer and, armed with TFG’s money, they can finally spend and aim for a place in the Premier League’s top 10. Maybe then that gulf Moyes talks about can finally be reduced. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
