STATS: Premier League years – Liverpool vs Everton
Having finished above their city rivals last season, Everton once again find themselves above Liverpool in the Premier League table this term.
Ahead of the two sides renewing ancient rivalries this Sunday lunchtime, here is a look back at some of the key numbers from their previous 20 Premier League meetings at Goodison Park:
The Basics
The Merseyside Derby
Matches Played: 20
Everton Wins: 7
Liverpool Wins: 9
Everton Goals: 22
Liverpool Goals: 25
The pendulum has clearly swung in this fixture. Everton were unbeaten prior to the 00/01 season, but a Liverpool victory in that campaign was the first of nine triumphs in their last 12 visits.
The longest winning run that Everton have enjoyed in this fixture is three matches (92/93 to 94/95) Liverpool boast the record winning run of four matches in this fixture (00/01 to 03/04) The longest unbeaten run in this fixture belongs to Everton and stands at eight matches (92/93 to 99/00) Liverpool once managed a six-match unbeaten run in this fixture (98/99 to 03/04) Everton hold the record for scoring in the most consecutive stagings of this fixture at six games (92/93 to 97/98) The most consecutive stagings of this fixture in which Liverpool have scored stands at four games (00/01 to 03/04)
It is interesting to note that none of the last 12 stagings of this fixture have ended on level terms, with Liverpool winning nine times and Everton just three.
Scoring Patterns – By Time Period
Here is a look at when each team has scored their goals in this fixture:
0-15 minutes – EVE (1) v (4) LIV
16-30 minutes – EVE (3) v (3) LIV
31-45 minutes – EVE (6) v (2) LIV
46-60 minutes – EVE (3) v (6) LIV
61-75 minutes – EVE (4) v (4) LIV
76-90 minutes – EVE (5) v (6) LIV
The main points to be aware of are:
Liverpool have scored four times as many goals as Everton during the 0-15 minute time period Everton have scored three times as many goals as Liverpool during the 31-45 minute time period Liverpool have scored twice as many goals as Everton during the 46-60 minute time period
Scoring Patterns – By Type
Here is a look at how each team has scored their goals in this fixture:
Open Play – EVE (15) v (18) LIV
Corner – EVE (3) v (1) LIV
Free-Kick – EVE (0) v (1) LIV
Direct Free-Kick – EVE (0) v (1) LIV
Penalty – EVE (2) v (3) LIV
Own Goal – EVE (2) v (1) LIV
Points to note are that:
Everton have not scored a single goal from a free-kick (i.e. direct or indirect) in this fixture Excluding own goals, 75% of the goals scored in this fixture have come in open play
Scoring Patterns – General
Here are a few other goal-related facts:
Everton have only scored more than two goals on one occasion (in a 3-0 win in 06/07) Liverpool have scored two goals or more on 45% of their visits Four of the seven Everton victories have been by a 2-0 scoreline Liverpool have scored at least twice in each of their nine wins Everton have twice lost when scoring the first goal Liverpool have enjoyed seven consecutive victories when opening the scoring No members of the current Everton squad have scored for the team in this fixture Excluding Andy Carroll, two members of the current Liverpool squad have scored for the team in this fixture (Steven Gerrard – 2 goals / Luis Suarez – 1 goal) Michael Owen is the leading scorer in the history of this fixture with four goals
The Card Count
The Merseyside derby is often referred to as ‘the friendly derby’ due to the relationship between the two sets of supporters, but has it been as friendly on the pitch over the years?
*In the figures below, two yellow cards and one red card have been counted when a player has been sent off for a ‘second bookable offence’.
Yellow Cards – EVE (45) v (47) LIV
Red Cards – EVE (9) v (2) LIV
Further points of interest are that:
Everton have been reduced to nine men on three separate occasions Phil Neville has twice been shown a red card
Miscellaneous
Here are a few other statistics to get your teeth into:
Everton have had 92 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture at an average of 4.60 per game Liverpool have had 104 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture at an average of 5.20 per game Excluding own goals, Everton have found the net once every 4.60 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture Excluding own goals, Liverpool have found the net once every 4.33 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture
Everton have impressed many observers this season, whilst Liverpool seem to be gradually moving in the right direction under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers. Recent history suggests that a draw is unlikely, so one set of supporters should be in a position to enjoy the bragging rights for the next few months.