Liverpool head into the international break on the back of a gut-wrenching week, where they saw their treble dreams go up in flames.
After the blistering campaign the Reds have had, Arne Slot was heavily tipped to go one further than his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, and clinch a treble for the first time in over four decades.
Having established a healthy 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and booked a spot in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United, it seemed Slot’s troops had what it took to make history.
However, their whole world came crashing down in the space of four days. First, they were eliminated from the Champions League by French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool won the first leg 1-0 after a stunning smash and grab at Parc des Princes.
PSG returned the favour at Anfield, sending the tie into extra time and eventually penalties, where the French side won 4-1 with Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones failing to convert from 12 yards.
There were hopes that an EFL Cup success would ease the blow of an unceremonious Champions League exit, but little did they know that they were in for a heartbreaking double whammy.
Newcastle, who were hunting their first domestic title in seven decades, showed they wanted it more than Liverpool and were rewarded for their bravery, clinching a stunning 2-1 victory at Wembley Stadium.
Towering centre-back Dan Burn headed Eddie Howe’s side into the lead on the stroke of half time.
Determined to avoid another Wembley heartbreak after falling to defeat against Manchester United in 2022/23, Newcastle picked up where they left off in the first half.
Just seven minutes after the restart, highly sought-after talisman Alexander Isak gave the Magpies a much-needed two-goal cushion, sending them on their way to victory.
Out of favour, Liverpool star Federico Chiesa gave the club faithful faint hopes of a comeback with a clinical finish in stoppage time, but it was too late for the Reds to stage a comeback.
Liverpool will have two weeks to lick their wounds before returning to Premier League action against Everton, hoping to maintain their sparkling domestic form in the 2024/25 home stretch.
Despite the gulf between both clubs, the Merseyside derby has a history of producing end-to-end contests, high-stakes drama, and plenty of talking points.
Those who buy Liverpool vs Everton tickets from Seatsnet.com will be hoping that remains the case when these two sides lock horns after the international break.
These two sides couldn’t be separated the last time they locked horns, playing out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
Everton nudged in front through Beto, but their lead didn’t last long as Alexis Mac Allister drew Liverpool back level.
The Reds threatened to run away with three points when Mohamed Salah completed the comeback in the 73rd minute, but David Moyes’ side responded with a last-minute goal from James Tarkowski.
While we expect another cracking contest when these two sides renew acquaintances at Anfield next month, the international break gives us some time to reflect on some of the best Merseyside derbies in history.
Everton 2-3 Liverpool – 2001
When Gary McAllister joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Coventry City at 35, many doubted whether he still had anything concrete to offer at the highest level.
However, the Scottish midfielder proved his doubters wrong. His spell at Liverpool cemented his status as a club icon and inspired a generation of future greats.
McAllister’s defining moment came in his first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. With the game locked at 2-2 deep into stoppage time, McAllister stood over a free kick from 44 yards.
While most expected a cross, he stunned Everton by curling the ball into the bottom corner, sending the visiting supporters into bedlam.
Assistant manager Phil Thompson later hailed the impact of McAllister’s genius, which meant much more than merely securing three points against a rival.
Everton 3-0 Liverpool – 2006
For Liverpool’s long-serving defender Jamie Carragher, the Merseyside derby was always the most important fixture of the season.
He grew up as an Everton fan but ended up playing for Liverpool, so the stakes were personal. However, his commitment backfired in the 2006 Merseyside derby.
The local lad was nursing an injury ahead of the trip to Goodison Park in September but assured then-manager Gerard Houllier that he was fit enough to play. It was a decision he would regret.
Carragher watched on as Tim Cahill put the Toffees ahead in the first half.
His errors also gifted Andrew Johnson two more goals on either side of half time as Everton claimed their biggest derby win in over four decades.
After the 3-0 defeat, Steven Gerrard tried to console his teammate with a simple text, “Forget about it.”
But it made no difference to Carragher, who felt he had let the team down – and rightly so. “It’s the worst I’ve ever felt after a game,” he admitted.
Everton 3-3 Liverpool – 2013
For over a decade, Liverpool enjoyed unprecedented dominance in the Merseyside derby, going unbeaten in 23 consecutive meetings from 2010 to 2021.
Everton often struggled to match their fierce rivals, watching on as Liverpool’s superiority played out time and again. However, they held their own in November 2013.
In a pulsating battle at Goodison Park, both sides went toe-to-toe in one of the fixture’s most entertaining clashes.
A Liverpool side inspired by Luis Suarez twice took the lead in the first half only to be pegged back each time by Roberto Martinez’s hosts.
Romelu Lukaku fired Everton into the lead with eight minutes to go, sparking hopes of potentially ending Liverpool’s dominance, but Daniel Sturridge popped up with a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a point.
Everton 2-0 Liverpool – 2024
Everton beat Liverpool 2-0 in April 2024 to end Jurgen Klopp’s unbeaten record at Goodison Park in his final Merseyside derby.
Both sides desperately needed a win for different reasons, with the Toffees fighting for Premier League survival while Liverpool were on the hunt for the holy grail.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, the Toffees made a blistering start. Their pressure paid off when Jarrad Branthwaite slotted home via the post, giving Everton a deserved lead.
Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, but their hopes were crushed in the second half when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s towering header from a corner sealed the win.
Everton went on to secure their Premier League status while Liverpool watched their title hopes fade into despair.
Failing to win the upcoming tie might not have a similar outcome, but it will certainly be a huge dent in their title bid.
Those who buy Liverpool tickets will be hoping they can return to winning ways against their biggest rivals, having failed to win any of their last two meetings (D1, L1).
