As Jurgen Klopp prepares to take charge of his final Merseyside derby as Liverpool manager, Everton are closing in on an unwanted landmark.

This year marks 25 years since the Blues last won at Anfield in front of supporters, with a 2-0 victory behind-closed-doors in February 2021 the only time Everton have come out on top at their former home in the past quarter of a century.

In September 1999, Kevin Campbell scored the only goal in an encounter which saw three players sent off, as left-back Steve Staunton finished the game in goal after Sander Westerveld and Francis Jeffers were dismissed becoming embroiled in a punch-up.

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Didi Hamann made his Merseyside derby debut that day as Gerard Houllier boldly started the German, despite the fact he hadn’t played for seven weeks since rupturing his ankle ligaments when making his maiden appearance for the club on the opening day of the 1999/00 season.

In truth, such a decision was a gamble and one that didn’t particularly pay off.

Replaced just after the hour-mark, Steven Gerrard came on in place of Hamann that day, only to be sent off in stoppage-time.

Looking back, Hamann concedes he should never have played against Everton 25 years ago, and only made his comeback that night because Houllier asked him to.

Meanwhile, for anyone expecting tales of a fiery dressing room inquest to rival the heated altercations on the pitch, the German revealed you would be sadly mistaken despite Liverpool suffering a disappointing defeat after finishing the match with nine men.

“I had just come back from injury and the ankle still wasn’t right,” Hamann, courtesy of Free Bets, exclusively told the ECHO.

It’s gone now, we can’t change it.’

“Obviously it was disappointing to lose that derby, but Everton were probably deserved winners.

While Klopp has only lost one of his 18 Merseyside derbies to date, Goodison victories have often eluded him in contrast to his compatriot.

Even if he were to win his final derby across Stanley Park on Wednesday night, it would be only his third win at Everton from his eighth visit.

I’ve got every faith they get the result they need.”

Didi Hamann was speaking exclusively to the Liverpool ECHO courtesy of Free Bets


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