Sam Allardyce stuns podcast host with Everton v Liverpool fact ahead of Merseyside derby
Everton and Liverpool face off in the Merseyside derby with a chance to claim bragging rights for the final time at Goodison Park.
The Toffees and their arch-rivals are level on 41 Goodison victories apiece heading into the final ever derby in front of the Grand Old Lady, and David Moyes‘ side will certainly be keen to claim that record.
It’s fair to say that since Moyes first departed Merseyside in 2013 for his ill-fated spell at Manchester United, the two rivals’ paths have diverged massively, and not in a way that Evertonians have enjoyed.
However, the past and the future – at Bramley-Moore Dock across the city – won’t matter for 90 minutes once that first whistle blows, and one former Everton manager looked back on his own derby record.
Sam Allardyce sparks shock with Everton v Liverpool admission
Speaking with Phil Thompson and fellow host Natalie Pike on No Tippy Tappy Football (11 February), Allardyce pointed out that his record as Everton boss in Merseyside derbies was unblemished.
“I never lost a derby”, he said.
Pike gasped: “Oh, you didn’t?”
Allardyce replied: “No – 1-1 at Liverpool, 0-0 at Everton, so…”
“So you’ve never won one, as well?”, Liverpool legend Thompson hit back. “There you are.”
Allardyce added: “No I never won one either – I should’ve won [one], though; I was happy [with] two draws, when they’re bottom of the league and you get them out of trouble.”
Everton fans glad to complete circle at Goodison Park
Although few Toffees fans look back on Allardyce’s time on Merseyside with much fondness, they’d certainly be grateful to replicate the eighth-place finish he secured come the end of the current season.
Moyes has certainly put the Blues back on an upward trajectory since replacing Sean Dyche in the dugout at Goodison last month, with three wins on the spin heading into Wednesday’s historic derby.
However, with Everton still 16th in the Premier League table, finishing as high as eighth looks unlikely regardless of how well Moyes’ side do in their 15 remaining league matches this term.
The Scot being back in charge has certainly helped to resonate memories of a time in which the Toffees were regular challengers for Europe, rather than trying to scrape their way clear of the bottom three.
This summer’s relocation to Bramley-Moore Dock – leaving Goodison behind forever – is seen as a transformational move in this regard, and something which can give Evertonians a foothold once again.
Blues fans will be glad to have Moyes in the dugout as opposed to Allardyce for the visit of Liverpool, and with a fervent atmosphere expected, the Grand Old Lady is set to roar Everton home once more.