Peter Beardsley is a rarity in Merseyside derby history.
As one of just two players alongside David Johnson to score the winner for Liverpool and Everton against the other, he is also one of a very select few still to be held in high esteem by both sets of fans.
If Beardsley was to be presented on the pitch at half-time on Sunday he would probably get a warm reception from all four corners of Goodison Park.
“I’m not sure about that,” he says. “I appreciate the thought but it would more likely be a minute’s silence!”
His four years with Liverpool compared to just two at Everton means he will be leaning toward a Red victory tomorrow.
“Simply because I won trophies with Liverpool,” he explains.
“But that’s not to take anything from Everton. Howard Kendall was one of the best managers I ever worked with.
“Although by the time I arrived Everton weren’t the team that they’d been under Howard in the mid-80s, he and Colin Harvey were absolutely sensational. Their knowledge of the game was second to none. When I left Liverpool people said it would be all downhill but Everton proved otherwise. The club and the fans were absolutely top class with me.”
They say form goes out the window in the derby. Fans of both a Red and Blue persuasion will be hoping that’s the case on Sunday.
Liverpool’s record of two wins from 11 games is marginally better than Everton’s one win in 10, while both teams have accrued just five league points each from the last possible 18.
Beardsley agrees there is more than just local bragging rights at stake this weekend.
“Both teams have struggled to find any form or consistency this season, but I still believe there are a good few teams that would swap places with Everton in the table right now.
“They’ve become much stronger under David Moyes.
“I also fully expect Liverpool to be in the top four come the end of the season. Alberto Aquilani is a top player. He showed flashes of what he is capable of in the Carling Cup against Arsenal. Once he’s match fit I think he will make a difference.
“Then there’s Fernando Torres. He can win games on his own and could be key to Liverpool’s chances on Sunday if he’s available.”
Injuries have been a major factor for both clubs this season.
While Rafael Benitez will hand a late fitness test to Torres ahead of the short trip to Goodison, Moyes has greater concerns.
Steven Pienaar returned for the 3-2 defeat at Hull in midweek but the Blues are still without key men Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville and Phil Jagielka, plus Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell could also be the subject of late fitness tests.
“It’s been a massive problem for both manager’s this season,” says Beardsley.
“When you lose players like that, or in Liverpool’s case Gerrard and Torres, you’re not going to be the same team.
“If Manchester United were to suddenly lose Wayne Rooney I doubt very much if they’d be the same side.
“A win for either will provide great confidence moving forward. Everton have lost too many games of late whereas Liverpool seem to take one step forward and two steps back. They appear to have broken the hoodoo of struggling against the smaller clubs though. Even the games they’ve lost have come against some good sides.
“They both need a win though and there is no better game than a derby to do that.”
With a Premier League record of 17 red cards in this fixture, the Merseyside derby is littered with villains.
It often throws up heroes too, a feeling Beardsley has experienced on both sides of Stanley Park.
“I managed to score the winner for both Liverpool and then later Everton at Goodison,” recalls Beardsley, who figured in 14 derbies for Liverpool, facing Everton more times for the Reds than any other club. “When I scored against Liverpool in a 2-1 win there (in 1992) it was at the same end where I’d got past Martin Keown to score two for Liverpool in a 3-2 win a few years earlier. It’s a great feeling to score in a derby. Looking back it’s those moments in your career that are so special.”
As one of just two players alongside David Johnson to score the winner for Liverpool and Everton against the other, he is also one of a very select few still to be held in high esteem by both sets of fans.
If Beardsley was to be presented on the pitch at half-time on Sunday he would probably get a warm reception from all four corners of Goodison Park.
“I’m not sure about that,” he says. “I appreciate the thought but it would more likely be a minute’s silence!”
His four years with Liverpool compared to just two at Everton means he will be leaning toward a Red victory tomorrow.
“Simply because I won trophies with Liverpool,” he explains.
“But that’s not to take anything from Everton. Howard Kendall was one of the best managers I ever worked with.
“Although by the time I arrived Everton weren’t the team that they’d been under Howard in the mid-80s, he and Colin Harvey were absolutely sensational. Their knowledge of the game was second to none. When I left Liverpool people said it would be all downhill but Everton proved otherwise. The club and the fans were absolutely top class with me.”
They say form goes out the window in the derby. Fans of both a Red and Blue persuasion will be hoping that’s the case on Sunday.
Liverpool’s record of two wins from 11 games is marginally better than Everton’s one win in 10, while both teams have accrued just five league points each from the last possible 18.
Beardsley agrees there is more than just local bragging rights at stake this weekend.
“Both teams have struggled to find any form or consistency this season, but I still believe there are a good few teams that would swap places with Everton in the table right now.
“They’ve become much stronger under David Moyes.
“I also fully expect Liverpool to be in the top four come the end of the season. Alberto Aquilani is a top player. He showed flashes of what he is capable of in the Carling Cup against Arsenal. Once he’s match fit I think he will make a difference.
“Then there’s Fernando Torres. He can win games on his own and could be key to Liverpool’s chances on Sunday if he’s available.”
Injuries have been a major factor for both clubs this season.
While Rafael Benitez will hand a late fitness test to Torres ahead of the short trip to Goodison, Moyes has greater concerns.
Steven Pienaar returned for the 3-2 defeat at Hull in midweek but the Blues are still without key men Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville and Phil Jagielka, plus Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell could also be the subject of late fitness tests.
“It’s been a massive problem for both manager’s this season,” says Beardsley.
“When you lose players like that, or in Liverpool’s case Gerrard and Torres, you’re not going to be the same team.
“If Manchester United were to suddenly lose Wayne Rooney I doubt very much if they’d be the same side.
“A win for either will provide great confidence moving forward. Everton have lost too many games of late whereas Liverpool seem to take one step forward and two steps back. They appear to have broken the hoodoo of struggling against the smaller clubs though. Even the games they’ve lost have come against some good sides.
“They both need a win though and there is no better game than a derby to do that.”
With a Premier League record of 17 red cards in this fixture, the Merseyside derby is littered with villains.
It often throws up heroes too, a feeling Beardsley has experienced on both sides of Stanley Park.
“I managed to score the winner for both Liverpool and then later Everton at Goodison,” recalls Beardsley, who figured in 14 derbies for Liverpool, facing Everton more times for the Reds than any other club. “When I scored against Liverpool in a 2-1 win there (in 1992) it was at the same end where I’d got past Martin Keown to score two for Liverpool in a 3-2 win a few years earlier. It’s a great feeling to score in a derby. Looking back it’s those moments in your career that are so special.”
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