Five Merseyside derby heroes ahead of Liverpool v Everton

The Merseyside derby takes place this weekend – and we’re taking a look back at the players who have shaped some of the recent clashes between bitter rivals Everton and Liverpool.

Goodison Park will be packed to the rafters on Sunday afternoon as the Toffees bid to continue their impressive start to the season.

Before then, though, we take a trip down memory lane to remember the most recent batch of Merseyside derby heroes.

Andy Carroll

It might have been an FA Cup tie, but Carroll’s late winner against Everton in last April’s semi-final at Wembley will have meant every bit as much to fans of the Reds as any Premier League strike.

Carroll went on to score again in the final, but it ultimately wasn’t enough for the striker to secure either the FA Cup or a first-team place at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard

Just a month before Carroll’s cup heroics, a long-standing Liverpool legend shook Merseyside with a derby hat-trick.

Gerrard’s trio of goals left the Toffees battered and bruised at Anfield and further cemented his claim to be one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players.

Dan Gosling

Another Merseyside hero emerged from an FA Cup clash when Everton youngster Gosling broke Liverpool’s hearts, curling home a winner in the 118^th minute of the fourth-round match in 2009.

Sadly, though, it was the goal that never was for many Everton fans watching on TV as an apparent mistake by an unnamed broadcaster caused an advert to be played instead.

Graeme Sharp

After poor starts to the season from both Merseyside clubs, fans were hoping for something special when they met at Anfield in 1984.

The Evertonians got their wish, courtesy of Sharp, who smashed in a half volley from all of 25 yards to silence the Kop in what was dubbed a 1-0 thrashing.

Ian Rush

Long before Gerrard’s aforementioned hat-trick, the Welsh Wizard Rush smashed in four against Everton in 1982.

The Reds thumped the Toffees 5-0 away from home and went on to win the Division 1 title by a staggering 11 points that year.

Can you think of any other Merseyside derby heroes? What’s your prediction for Sunday? We want to hear from YOU!