Differences between Everton and Liverpool
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Everton F.C. vs. Liverpool F.C.[edit]
Everton and Liverpool are the two primary professional football clubs based in Liverpool, England. The matches between the two clubs are known as the Merseyside derby. This rivalry is one of the longest-running in English football, occurring every year since the 1962–63 season. While the clubs are now distinct entities, they share a common origin related to the ownership of Anfield stadium.
Everton was founded in 1878 and was a founding member of the Football League in 1888. The club originally played at Anfield, a ground owned by John Houlding. In 1892, a dispute regarding rent and club management led Everton to move across Stanley Park to a new site at Goodison Park. Houlding was left with an empty stadium and subsequently formed Liverpool F.C. to play there. This proximity remains a defining feature of the rivalry, as the two stadiums are located less than one mile apart.
Comparison table[edit]
| Category | Everton F.C. | Liverpool F.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Year founded | 1878 | 1892 |
| Primary stadium | Goodison Park | Anfield |
| Primary kit color | Royal blue and white | Red and white |
| First Division/Premier League titles | 9 | 19 |
| FA Cup wins | 5 | 8 |
| League Cup wins | 0 | 10 |
| European Cup/Champions League titles | 0 | 6 |
| Nickname | The Toffees | The Reds |
| Highest league finish (21st century) | 4th (2004–05) | 1st (2019–20) |
Historical context and split[edit]
The split in 1892 created a permanent divide in the city's sporting loyalties. Everton's move to Goodison Park made them the first club in England to have a purpose-built football stadium. Liverpool F.C. was initially composed largely of Scottish players, leading to the nickname "the team of all the Macs."
During the 1950s, both clubs experienced periods in the Second Division. Liverpool returned to the top flight in 1962 under Bill Shankly, while Everton had been promoted in 1954. The 1960s saw a period of high competition, with both teams winning league titles and FA Cups. The rivalry was frequently called the "friendly derby" because fanbases were not segregated by religion or geography, and many families contained supporters of both teams.
The 1980s and the Heysel impact[edit]
The 1980s represented the most successful decade for the city's football. Liverpool won the league title seven times during this decade. Everton won the title in 1985 and 1987. In the 1985–86 season, Liverpool won the league and Everton finished second; the two teams also met in the FA Cup final that year, which Liverpool won 3–1.
The Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985 resulted in a ban on English clubs from European competition. This significantly affected Everton, who had won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985 and were denied the opportunity to compete in the European Cup during their peak years. Liverpool served a longer ban than other English clubs due to the involvement of their supporters in the tragedy.
Recent developments[edit]
In the Premier League era, Liverpool has generally maintained a higher league position and won more trophies, including two Champions League titles in 2005 and 2019. Everton has struggled to match this success, with their last major trophy being the FA Cup in 1995.
Everton is currently in the process of leaving Goodison Park. The club is constructing a new 52,888-seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on the banks of the River Mersey. This move will end more than 130 years of residency at Goodison Park. Liverpool has chosen to remain at Anfield, completing several major expansions to the Main Stand and the Anfield Road Stand to increase capacity to over 61,000.
