Also known as the "Friendly Derby," the matchup between these 2 Merseyside teams has traditionally proven not to be so friendly on the pitch; as it has seen more red cards than any other game.

However, Liverpool and Everton face off again in the English Premier League on the 2nd of March 2019 at Goodison Park; Everton's home ground.

The City Of Liverpool: European Capital Of Culture

In 2008, the city of Liverpool was recognized for its cultural excellence and was named the European capital of culture.

It has lived up and is still living up to the reputation of being a cultural epitome of excellence.

A very friendly city that does not discriminate anything and is very welcoming.

• Catch up with the Liverpool food and drink festival and enjoy an array of meals that the city has to offer.

• Book a tour and ascend the Liverpool Cathedral to see its spectacular views both on the inside and outside.

• Experience the Grand National - The biggest Horse racing event in the UK holds in Liverpool.

• Take a tour of Liverpool's maritime life. From the maritime museum to the docks, discover it on the vast Liverpool waterfront.

• Visit the international slavery museum. Explore the history of slavery from Liverpool's point of view.

• Trace the life of the iconic Beatles in their hometown. There's a Beatles week event at the Cavern Club. Make sure you check that out.

The Birth Of A Rivalry

Everton Football club was formed in 1878. From 1884 to 1892, Everton called the Anfield stadium "home" but had to vacate after several political and financial disagreements with John Houlding, the club chairman.

This led to the Everton board purchasing the Goodison Park stadium, and John Houlding in-turn establishing Liverpool Football Club in 1892 that would occupy the Anfield stadium.

Liverpool, after it was founded in 1892, was initially named Everton F.C and Athletic grounds limited. But, the Football Association refused to recognize it as "Everton"; as a result, was refused official recognition by the Football Association until three months later when it was renamed Liverpool Football Club in March 1982.

Here the intra city rivalry was born.

They had different political affiliations like most intercity rivalries; Everton board members were mostly members of the Liberal party while Liverpool board members and the club chairman were members of the conservative party.

The Friendly Rivalry Between These Teams

Both clubs are situated just 400m apart north of the city, the proximity ensuring that within some families there exist Liverpool as well as Everton fans. As a result of this, there aren't obvious political, geographical social or religious divides as with other derbies, so the fans as well as the players enjoy a healthy competition with themselves.

Hence the tag "Friendly Derby."

The relationship between these Merseyside teams even became stronger after the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 people died and 766 people were injured in a Liverpool game against Nottingham. Both sets of fans and their clubs came together to pay respect to the dead and take care of the wounded.

Also, in 2007, 11-year-old Rhys Jones was murdered in a gun crime related to a Champions League game involving Liverpool.

Amazing Merseyside Records

Statistically, the city of Liverpool is the most successful city in English football. There hasn't been a top-flight season without one of the Merseyside teams featured, and they have won between them a total of 27 league titles.

Liverpool has won 5 European Cups, a record for any English team, 18 Premier League titles and 7 Football Association cups; Everton have won the European Winners’ cup, nine league champions, and five Football Association cup trophies.

Being a founding member of the football league, Everton has competed in over 100 top-flight seasons, a record for any English team and have only been relegated twice.

Derby Statistics You Should Be Aware Of

• The Merseyside Derby has seen a total of 21 red cards. The highest number of red cards in any Premier League fixture.

• Former club captains, Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) and Phil Neville (Everton) both have seen a red card on two different occasions.

• These teams first met in the 1894-95 season with Everton running away as 3-0 winners.

• The biggest victory, however, came for Liverpool in 1935 when then defeated city rivals 6-0

• There has been a total of 232 derby matches between both these teams. Liverpool has won 93 of those, Everton winning 66 and 73 ending in stalemates

• Liverpool striker Ian Rush is the highest goal scorer in the Merseyside derby. He has a record 25 goals

• Neville Southall is the most capped player in this fixture. Donning the Everton colors 41 times against rivals Liverpool.

• While Tom Watson was Liverpool's manager, he lost to Everton 21 times. The most lose by any coach in the derby.

• Liverpool's goalkeeper, Ray Clemence had 15 clean sheets in the derby between 1967 and 1981.

• David Johnson and Peter Beardsley have both scored for Everton and Liverpool in the Merseyside derby

Everton-Liverpool Managers

• Bob Paisley is the most successful Liverpool coach. He won six Premier League titles and three European Cup competitions.

• Tom Watson spent 19 years at the helm of activities winning the league championship twice and becoming the longest-serving Liverpool manager.

• Howard Kendall is the most successful Everton coach; winning two first division championships, one football association cup, one European Winners cup, and 3 FA charity shields.

• Harry Catterick oversaw 594 first team matches as Everton's coach. The most by any Everton coach.

To Wrap It Up

Liverpool and Everton enjoy a very healthy rivalry. But that takes nothing away from the fact that once the game kicks off, it promises to be a very competitive one with both teams aiming for the scalp of the other and wanting to claim bragging rights.

Families with some members donning Everton's blue and others in the Red colors of Liverpool will be at Goodison Park enjoying a good game of football, along with the players and the coaching crew on both these teams.