Everton vs Liverpool: Merseyside Derby Rivalry, Finances & History

There’s a reason the Merseyside derby feels different from any other local clash in English football. The two clubs share a city, a park, and even a founding story – but the rivalry on the pitch is fierce, and beyond the pitch lies a complex web of finances, fan bases, and legendary figures.

Current Premier League positions: Liverpool 5th, Everton 12th (as of 19 Apr 2026) ·
Latest derby result: Everton 1–2 Liverpool (19 Apr 2026) ·
Number of Merseyside derbies this season: 2 ·
All-time derby wins (Liverpool): 102 (approximate, as of 2025) ·
All-time derby wins (Everton): 68 (approximate, as of 2025) ·
All-time draws: 78 (approximate, as of 2025)

Six key data points, one pattern: the clubs are deeply intertwined by geography and history but sharply divided by trophies and global reach.

Does LeBron still own 2% of Liverpool?

LeBron James no longer holds a 2% stake in Liverpool FC. In 2024, he traded his ownership for a 1% stake in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the parent company that also controls the Boston Red Sox.

• He originally bought a 2% stake in 2011 for about $6.5 million (source unavailable).
• The trade was part of a restructuring of FSG’s ownership structure.

Do Barcelona still owe Liverpool?

Barcelona still owes Liverpool approximately £25 million from the transfer of Philippe Coutinho in 2018. The debt relates to performance-related add-ons that triggered after Coutinho’s appearances.

• Total deal was £142 million including add-ons (SportsBreaks travel guide article).
• The remaining £25m is part of the installments for those add-ons.

The implication: Barcelona’s well-documented financial difficulties mean the payment has been delayed, but the obligation remains.

Does Gerrard regret leaving Liverpool?

Steven Gerrard has publicly stated he has no regrets about leaving Liverpool in 2015 to join LA Galaxy. He wanted a new challenge and a chance to experience football abroad.

• He left Liverpool after 17 years in the first team.
• He is widely considered a Liverpool legend.

What did Zidane say about Gerrard?

Zinedine Zidane once said: “In his prime, Steven Gerrard was one of the best players in the world.” The French legend made the comment on Instagram, praising Gerrard’s all-around game.

• Zidane rated Gerrard’s passing, shooting, and leadership.
• The quote reflects the high esteem in which elite peers hold Gerrard.

The implication: Zidane’s praise places Gerrard among football’s elite.

Who has a bigger fan base, Liverpool or Everton?

Liverpool has a significantly larger global fan base, estimated at over 700 million followers worldwide. Everton has strong local support and a dedicated international following, particularly in Ireland.

• Liverpool is one of the most followed clubs globally, with huge support in Asia and the Americas.
• Everton’s fan base is more concentrated in Merseyside and parts of Scandinavia.
• Both clubs have deep roots in the Irish community (source unavailable).

The pattern: Liverpool’s sustained success in the 1970s-80s and again under Klopp has built a worldwide brand that Everton, despite its loyal base, cannot match in scale.

Merseyside derby timeline

• 1878 – Everton F.C. founded (Everton F.C. Wikipedia).
• 1892 – Liverpool F.C. founded after a dispute at Everton (source unavailable).
• 13 October 1894 – First Merseyside derby: Liverpool 3–0 Everton (source unavailable).
• 2015 – Steven Gerrard leaves Liverpool for LA Galaxy.
• 2018 – Liverpool sells Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £142m (including add-ons).
• 2024 – LeBron James trades his 2% Liverpool stake for 1% in Fenway Sports Group.
• Early 2026 – Everton v Liverpool match postponed; rescheduled to 12 February 2026.
• 19 April 2026 – Latest derby: Everton 1–2 Liverpool (Van Dijk stoppage-time winner).

The pattern: each event reshaped the rivalry’s balance.

Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

What this means: the off-field mysteries add complexity to the derby.

Voices from the rivalry

“In his prime, Steven Gerrard was one of the best players in the world.”

— Zinedine Zidane

“I have no regrets about leaving Liverpool. It was the right move for me and my family.”

— Steven Gerrard

The catch: these quotes show mutual respect despite competition.

The Merseyside derby is more than a football match – it’s a shared history of a city. For Liverpool fans, the rivalry with Everton reminds them of their origins. For Everton supporters, it’s a chance to prove they belong on the same stage. As both clubs move into new eras – Everton to a new stadium, Liverpool under new ownership structures – the derby will remain the heartbeat of Merseyside football.

For any fan of English football, the choice is not about which club to support, but how deeply you want to understand one of the sport’s richest rivalries.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid: Head-to-Head, History & Results · RB Leipzig vs Bayern: H2H Stats, Results & Facts