Analysis: Everton 2-2 Liverpoolpublished at 23:35 12 February
23:35 12 February
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool's fans were taunting their Everton counterparts with chants of "we won the league at Goodison Park" just moments before James Tarkowski denied them the victory they thought was theirs.
It was a response to Everton fans directing "you lost the league at Goodison Park" after Liverpool were defeated here near the end of last season.
And those supporters would have had every right to believe the title was on its way back to Anfield as Salah's late strike looked to be putting them nine points clear of Arsenal.
In the end, Liverpool had to settle for a point - a fair outcome for all the controversy surrounding the equaliser.
Head coach Arne Slot, who cut an agitated figure all night as Everton's fans urged their team on with deafening noise, was furious Tarkowski's goal was allowed and appeared unhappy with referee Michael Oliver throughout.
Liverpool were not quite themselves, with Everton making life uncomfortable, but their disappointment will be even more acute because they looked to be closing out the win without too many alarms until those wild closing seconds.
They can console themselves by still holding a very healthy seven point lead at the top of the league.
'Fitting it ended in absolute chaos'published at 23:01 12 February
23:01 12 February
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman, speaking on TNT Sports: "It is apt really that the last game at Goodison Park is a game like this. Like an old school 80s game.
"There was not a load of quality in the game but it was wild, it had passion, it had fight.
"There were a number of sending offs at the end, people wanted to antagonise each other and fight each other. It was fitting it ended in absolute chaos.
"Abdoulaye Doucoure had 37,000 of his own fans to go and celebrate in front of. To go and antagonise the Liverpool fans was a silly decision. It was only going to end one way.
"Doucoure is an important player and if Everton go on and lose in their next game it will have been proved an even worse decision."
'We all saw it and reacted as a team' - Van Dijkpublished at 22:15 12 February
22:15 12 February
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, speaking to MOTD: "Very tough. To concede an equaliser that late is always disappointing.
"We saw the celebrations they had in the end so we know how much it meant for them but the fact is it was disappointing for us. We take the point and move onto Wolves now.
"We came back, got to 2-1 but unfortunately we couldn't get it over the line. We had to keep fighting, we kept doing that but in the end it wasn't enough to get it over the line."
On the clash of players at the end: "It was a very big provocation from one certain player. We all saw it and reacted as a team as we were able to do. You know what happens nowadays, it becomes one big tussle. Then it is not me who has to deal with it, it is the referee and today I am not sure he had it fully under control."
On the title fight: "We have put ourselves in a solid position. We all know we have so many difficult games coming up. We need everyone at their best.
"Everyone should be disappointed on the last part of this game but from tomorrow the focus will be on recovery.
"The main thing for us is to completely focus on ourselves, and as fans as well, don't look at what others are doing and writing, just focus on us.
"Every game will be tough until the end of the season, then we will see at the end of the road if it is enough. But we have put ourselves in a good position and we have to keep fighting."
Everton 2-2 Liverpool: Did you know?published at 21:52 12 February
21:52 12 February
Image source, Getty Images
Timed at 97:08, James Tarkowski's equaliser for Everton was the latest goal scored on record (from 2006-07) in a Premier League Merseyside derby.
It was also Liverpool's second-latest conceded on record against any side in the competition, after Robin van Persie's goal for Arsenal in April 2011 (97:10).
This was the 120th and final Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in all competitions. Both sides have won exactly 41 each of those fixtures (D38).
Everton 2-2 Liverpool - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:34 12 February
Pride, records and points - all to play for at Goodisonpublished at 15:29 12 February
15:29 12 February
Image source, Opta Analyst
Goodison Park will host its 120th and final Merseyside derby on Wednesday, more than130 years after the first in 1894.
There have been some classic games but in recent years, the main theme of derbies on the blue side of Stanley Park has been cancelling one another out,.
And if points were not hard enough to come by, so are goals. Across 119 meetings, there are only six goals between the two teams, with Everton having scored 141 goals and Liverpool 147.
However, those goals have also dried up in recent seasons, as five of their last 10 meetings at Goodison have ended 0-0.
Either way, besides playing for the usual derby pride, the bragging rights regarding the last victory at Goodison are at stake and the winner will also forever hold a 42-41 advantage over the other.
That is because at 41 apiece, both teams have won the same number of games.
We are set for a big night under the lights at Goodison Park.
Goodison Park hasn't been a 'fruitful place' for the Redspublished at 15:03 12 February
15:03 12 February
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool podcaster Dan Krishan is hoping Arne Slot's side can "take the emotion out" of their final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, as the Reds look to avoid defeat at their rivals' ground for the second season in a row.
The Reds will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table, while the Toffees will be hoping to pull themselves further away from the relegation zone.
"Goodison Park hasn't been the most fruitful place for us in recent years. It has been nine draws across the past 13 games and the last time we won there was in the 2021 season.
"The 2-0 win last year for Everton was a massive dent and it put the final nail into our title hopes.
"If we can just take the emotion out of the game, which is going to be extremely difficult considering it is the last one at Goodison Park, we have the chance to go nine points clear.
"We should absolutely do this."
'Derby defeat would be much more likely to wobble the team'published at 14:04 12 February
14:04 12 February
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
There is only the most microscopic chance, on homeopathic levels, that Liverpool will be negatively affected by the loss to Plymouth.
Joyous and historic though it was for the home side, the visitors that started were not even close to the first team that is usually sent out by Arne Slot and the players know this.
Officially it was the first XI but, when you look at the teamsheet, this was for all intents and purposes the reserve side mostly. It should still have been good enough to win as half of those players are regularly trusted to start, but that is not how the players who sat it out will consider it. Salah, Van Dijk, Mac Allister, Konate, Gravenberch, Robertson, Gakpo and Szoboszlai will be as troubled as they are when the stiffs lose while they beat Real Madrid.
In fact, the likes of Salah and Van Dijk might just secretly think it shows them in an even better light - "so you reckoned our replacements were ready to step in and take our places did you?"
Footballers can be selfish, indeed they must have that trait to be so ambitious.
Much more concerning would be a defeat this week against local rivals Everton. Until a month ago, this might have been considered three points in the bag, but with Davie Moyes' return the Toffees look much more potent in the league. If they lost to their great rivals there would still be a comfortable cushion but not as comfortable as it has been.
With Aston Villa and Manchester City away and Newcastle at home in three of the next four games, a derby defeat would be much more likely to wobble the team than the stiffs' embarrassment at Plymouth.
'What better way to hit back?'published at 12:33 12 February
12:33 12 February
Ian Kennedy BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
Image source, PA Media
It is all about the derby match later so what happened at Plymouth needs to be forgotten quickly.
You do not need any extra incentive to win these games, but Liverpool could take a significant nine-point lead at the top. That would be huge in the context of the title. Sunday was Arne Slot's first big setback, but surely there is no better way to hit back than to win at Everton?
It is a fascinating prospect and, of course, this will not be the Liverpool side that lost at Home Park. Everton had their own disappointment at the weekend, but David Moyes will know the top priority for now is safety - and three recent league wins has gone a long way to securing that.
Everton will certainly have a confidence about them.
Liverpool are so often expected to win these games, based on league positions, but it is rarely that simple. Nine of the past 12 meetings at Goodison Park have been drawn.
These are different games, and the fact it is the final Goodison derby will only add to the occasion. The big hitters are set to return and Liverpool will need all their top players to be at their best.
The good news for Slot is that his players have been at their best almost all season.
'That Goodison crowd always is mental'published at 10:38 12 February
10:38 12 February
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your favourite Merseyside derby memories before Wednesday's final Goodison Park meeting between Liverpool and Everton.
Here are some of your replies:
Peter: It was 6 December 1969. I was 13 years old. Nil-nil at half time. Minutes after the break, Emlyn Hughes scored from a ball from Cally [Ian Callaghan] - 0-1, it was anyone's game. Then it happened. A cross came over from Thommo [Peter Thompson] but Everton full back Sandy Brown had it covered. With a spectacular diving header he sent the ball into his own net. I was at the front and could see the round, muddy mark of the ball on the right side of his forehead for the rest of the game. A great game, a great win for Liverpool at Goodison. But, all we were talking about for weeks, months perhaps even years after was Sandy Brown's amazing own goal.
Simon: I was nine and went to the derby at the beginning of the 1966-67 season. To see Ray Wilson and Roger Hunt parading the recently won World Cup is a vision that I'll never forget.
Stephen: Went to Goodison as a Reds fan in 2001 - Riise with his run and Gerrard with his first derby goal at Goodison. Won 3-1, sat in top tier of the main stand - wow that was steep. Had to climb up the steps, was a ground to behold in the 80s. Can understand leaving but that Goodison crowd always is mental.
Andrew: When the all-time record goalscorer for Liverpool scored four goals at Goodison Park. Kopites still sing about that night 40 odd years on.
'A game full of passion' - Barnespublished at 10:30 12 February
10:30 12 February
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool winger John Barnes is anticipating a "game full of passion" when the Reds come to Goodison Park for the final time to face Everton.
The Toffees have found form since the return of David Moyes - winning each of their past three Premier league games.
"It's always passionate," Barnes told Total Sport's Carl Woodward. "The fans are always up for it. It's a game that will be closer probably than it would have been had it been played a few months ago.
"You can never tell what is going to happen in these games but it will be a game full of passion.
"I didn't particularly like the derbies because I thought they were too frenetic, too aggressive and too much passion - let's just keep calm.
"For Everton, it's been hard for the home players - the pressure the fans put on their team to do well sometimes works against them. I don't think that will have a bearing on this week's match as Everton have been winning and playing well.
"They won't be as nervous as they would have been had it been two months ago."
Arne Slot's side will be keen to respond after Sunday's shock FA Cup exit to Championship Plymouth, but Barnes does not think this will derail their Premier League title charge.
"We're favourites and have been playing consistently well," he added.
"I can't see another team going on a run. What Liverpool have done so far leads me to believe they will consistently keep picking up enough points to win the league."
Sutton's predictions: Everton v Liverpoolpublished at 09:01 12 February
09:01 12 February
This is actually quite tricky to call, a lot more so than when it was meant to be played in December.
All those changes Arne Slot made in the FA Cup to rest his players means the quadruple is gone now for Liverpool and, with apologies for being pedantic, it also means they cannot win the Treble either - not the proper one, anyway.
I didn't quite get why Slot did not load his bench with his star players against Plymouth, although my first question would actually be: why not start some of them and get in front in the game, then look to make changes?
I do understand Liverpool are fighting on all fronts, but did they disrespect the FA Cup? Everyone does that, to an extent, but that doesn't make it right. My point here is that Slot did not think about having his big players available if they were needed, which is what Manchester City did against Leyton Orient.
I covered that game for BBC Radio 5 Live and when I saw Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne come on for City, I thought they meant business. They helped City get through.
Everton also went out of the FA Cup, but David Moyes went strong with his line-up against Bournemouth and they hit the woodwork three times.
I do not think that defeat means the Toffees have lost much of the momentum they had built from winning their past three league games and, of course, this is the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park, which adds an extra edge to it from their point of view.
Part of me thinks Liverpool will still nick a win, but I am actually going to back Everton to get something here. It will be a close game, that's for sure.
The Reds are interested in signing 21-year-old Nice winger Mohamed-Ali Cho, who has also represented England Under-21s at international level. (Teamtalk), external
Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr came very close to reaching an agreement for Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez in January, before the Reds rejected a deal for the 25-year-old. (Givemesport), external
'We had never seen a derby like it'published at 16:05 11 February
16:05 11 February
Media caption,
BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty has been reminiscing on the 4-4 thriller that took place between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in the 1991 FA Cup fifth round.
After a goalless first meeting at Anfield, the Merseyside rivals played out an exhilarating draw, which ended up being Kenny Dalglish's final match before resigning as manager of the Reds.
Substitute Tony Cottee's equaliser six minutes from the end of extra time secured a draw for the hosts after they fought back from a goal down four times.
The second replay, also at Goodison, finished 1-0 to the Toffees - the last FA Cup tie to go to multiple replays before a rule change the following season limited ties to one replay.
"It was an absolutely wild game because Liverpool led four times and Everton pulled them back four times," McNulty said.
"Liverpool scored some absolutely wonderful goals, some strange goals, people clearing the ball off the line and it flying back in.
"Every time you thought Liverpool had won the game there would be some calamity in their defence that bought Everton back into it. It was an incredible game of football.
"I remember walking away from that and people from our vintage were saying they had never seen anything like it.
"It was an absolutely wild night of football. I remember it like it was yesterday because we had never seen a derby like it, with goals being exchanged like that.
"Then obviously there were the events after it with Kenny resigning a couple of days later."
'You have to be mentally strong as the away team at Goodison'published at 15:05 11 February
15:05 11 February
Media caption,
Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Liverpool's match against Everton on Wednesday - the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
"I haven't been to one, but people tell me that it is always a fantastic atmosphere at Goodison Park," Slot said.
"It's not an easy atmosphere to platy against - every time they cross the halfway line or get a corner kick, the fans will cheer for that. You have to be mentally strong as the away team to resist all that.
"I assume that our players are ready for another battle."
Relive five derby wins at Goodison - plus send us your memoriespublished at 12:59 11 February
12:59 11 February
Before Wednesday's final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, we've taken a look at five Liverpool victories over Everton at the old stadium during the Premier League era.
Everton 2-3 Liverpool, 16 April 2001
Image source, Getty Images
One of the great derbies settled by one of the great derby goals. There had been four goals, two penalties - one missed - 12 yellow cards and a sending off when Gary McAllister stepped up to take a stoppage-time free-kick 45 yards from goal with the score locked at 2-2. The former Scotland international curled a wonderful effort into the near post to spark scenes of wild celebrations among the Liverpool fans.
Everton 1-3 Liverpool, 15 September 2001
Image source, Getty Images
A 21-year-old Steven Gerrard provided an iconic derby-day goal and celebration when he equalised after Kevin Campbell's early opener. Gerrard shifted the ball past Gary Naysmith and crashed a stunning strike into the far top corner before sprinting away down the touchline in front of the Everton fans with his hand cupping his ear. A Michael Owen penalty and John Arne Riise's solo run and finish sealed a comfortable victory which will be remembered for Gerrard's virtuoso display.
Everton 0-3 Liverpool, 30 August 2003
Image source, Getty Images
A first Liverpool goal for Harry Kewell and a first win of the season for under-pressure manager Gerrard Houllier were the headlines from a derby-day demolition in 2003. Kewell's arrival that summer from Leeds was the source of much excitement, only enhanced by him capping a fine performance with a late third. Owen found the net twice to complete the scoring as a young Wayne Rooney saw several efforts saved by Jerzy Dudek.
Everton 0-1 Liverpool, 19 December 2016
Image source, Getty Images
Sometimes the unconvincing, scrappy wins can be the sweetest. A tempestuous derby was settled deep into stoppage time with a goal that matched the game. Summer signing Sadio Mane reacted first to a loose ball after substitute Daniel Sturridge's shot had hit the post to send the away fans into raptures.
Everton 1-4 Liverpool, 1 December 2021
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool turned up the pressure on former Anfield boss Rafael Benitez by dismantling his Everton side with a devastating attacking display. Jordan Henderson and Diogo Jota struck either side of a Mohamed Salah double with Goodison Park becoming mutinous as Benitez - already unpopular from his history with the Reds - felt the wrath of the home crowd.
And now it's over to you...
We stuck to the Premier League era for the five above, but there are so many more standout games - the incredible 4-4 draw in the FA Cup in 1991 that led to the resignation of Reds boss Kenny Dalglish and the 5-0 win in 1982 when Ian Rush scored four to name just two.
So we want your pictures, stories and memories of the notable moments from this fixture down the years. Get in touch here
Image source, Getty Images
