Top 10 players to play for both Liverpool and Everton

Some players have enjoyed successful spells on both sides of the Merseyside derby.

The rivalry between Liverpool and Everton is undoubtedly one of the greatest and fiercest in English Football. The Merseyside derby refers to the matches played between Liverpool and Everton. These two English clubs have been competing with each other for a long time.

The stadiums of these clubs are located close to each other, intensifying the excitement and rivalry between their fans on the day of the derby matches. Although the gap in quality between the two sides has perhaps never been as wide as it is now, they are two of the most successful clubs in the country’s history. Regardless of each club’s current situation, the Merseyside Derby remains an intense and competitive event, just as it has always been.

28 players played for Everton before moving to Liverpool, either directly or via another club, and 18 for which the reverse is true. Here is a look at the top 10 players who played for both Liverpool and Everton.

10. Sander Westerveld

The Dutch goalkeeper won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble with Liverpool in 2001 and had a bust-up with Everton’s Francis Jeffers in his first Merseyside Derby in 1999. In 2006, he spent 28 days on loan at Goodison during a goalkeeper injury crisis. He played two games before returning to his parent club Portsmouth.

Wishing '01 treble-winning goalkeeper @sawe74 all the best on his 50th Birthday 🎂🥳 pic.twitter.com/RlixCHIo9N

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 23, 2024

9. Conor Coady

Coady came through the academy system at Liverpool, spending three years at the club but only making one league appearance for the Reds. He left for Huddersfield Town, moving from there to Wolves where he made 273 league appearances before being sent on loan to Everton for the 2022-23 season. He played for them 24 times in the Premier League, helping them to avoid relegation.

PHOTO: Conor Coady in action for Liverpool at the Aviva Stadium pic.twitter.com/PQR33p7TmA

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 14, 2014

8. Nick Barmby

Nick Barby joined Everton in 1996 and immediately found himself thrust into a relegation battle. In the end, they survived and finished 15th, with Barmby playing 25 league games and scoring four goals. He stayed at Goodison Park for nearly four years, playing 116 games and scoring 18 goals for the Toffees.

He signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2000. He was part of Liverpool’s treble-winning team in the 2000-01 season. He finished his time at Liverpool with eight goals to his name.

7. Don Hutchison

He joined Liverpool in 1990 as a 19-year-old but was unable to truly shine in four years at Anfield and was eventually sold to West Ham United in 1994. Later on, he went on to join Sheffield United where he thrived and manager Howard Kendall brought him when he returned to Everton for his third spell as a manager. He quickly became an important player for them. After a disagreement over a new contract, he left Everton that summer.

6. Dave Hickson

Hickson is remembered as one of the Everton greats while he had a brief tenure with Liverpool towards the end of his career. Nicknamed ‘the Cannonball Kid’ for his willingness to challenge for every ball, he signed for the Toffees in 1948. He was a prolific goalscorer during the club’s three years in the second division between 1951 and 1954.

🔵 243 games⚽️ 109 goalsDave Hickson – 'The Cannonball Kid' – was born #onthisday in 1929. An icon of the 50s and a popular figure still missed at Goodison Park. 💙 pic.twitter.com/hEu5AYQK08

— Everton (@Everton) October 30, 2024

He was controversially sold in 1955 but returned two years later for another stint at Goodison Park before he was sold again, this time in an even more controversial fashion, to Liverpool. Hickson passed away in July 2023 after a short spell of illness.

5. David Johnson

Liverpool-born striker David Johnson served both the Reds and Everton with great distinction as a predatory goal poacher and scored derby goals for either side. In 1982, after winning four league titles, two European cups and a League Cup with Liverpool, Johnson left Anfield to re-sign for his first club Everton. For the Toffees, he made 92 appearances and netted 20 goals. For the Reds, he played 213 games and scored 78 goals.

Rest in peace, Doc.We’re deeply saddened by the passing of David Johnson.The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with David’s family and friends.

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 23, 2022

4. Johnny Morrissey

He was a key figure in two of the greatest sides in Everton’s history during the 1960s. However, the left winger made his breakthrough with Liverpool before he was sold to their arch-rivals without the knowledge of an incensed Bill Shankly. Morrissey scored on his debut, a 2-2 draw against the Reds, and went on to help the Toffees win the 1962/63 league title in his first season and remained a crucial part of the team that repeated the trick seven years later.

Happy 74th birthday to former #EFC winger Johnny Morrissey! What a player! pic.twitter.com/leYw7AwM4D

— Everton (@Everton) April 18, 2014

3. Steve McMahon

He played for both clubs but is often thought of most fondly by Liverpool fans. A one-time ball-boy at Goodison Park, Steve McMahon began his playing career with boyhood club Everton and notched a century of appearances. Snapped up from Aston Villa by Kenny Dalglish as his first signing as Liverpool manager in 1985, the combative midfielder won three league titles and two FA cups with the Reds.

2. Kevin Sheedy

There is little doubt that Kevin Sheedy will always be thought of more as an Everton player than a Liverpool one. This is since he only played five games for the Reds in which he scored two goals. He is considered by many as the best left-footed player in Everton’s history. The Republic of Ireland midfielder won four major honours with Howard Kendall’s Blues, two league titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup.

1. Peter Beardsley

One of the only players who is likely to be claimed by both sets of supporters. He also played for Manchester United earlier in his career. He left Anfield having won two league titles and an FA Cup. In 1991 he signed for Everton, with the Blues paying the Reds £1 million for the 30-year-old’s signature.

Former Everton strikers Bob Latchford and Peter Beardsley both celebrate their birthdays today. #EFC pic.twitter.com/dJn6LsWl

— Everton (@Everton) January 18, 2013

He played 95 games for them and scored 32 goals during the two years he was at Goodison Park. He was not able to help them to finish high above the mid-table. Fans loved him for his personality and on-the-pitch performance.

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