Liverpool icons John Barnes and Steve McManaman discuss the intense emotions associated with derby matches.

What Are Derby Matches Really Like?

In the inaugural episode of ‘For the Love of the Game’, football legends John Barnes, Ally McCoist, and Steve McManaman delved into the heart of some of football’s most intense rivalries. With the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool looming this weekend, the trio shared their insights ahead of the highly anticipated clash, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Both McManaman and Barnes, former players for Liverpool, have experienced the electric atmosphere of Merseyside derbies firsthand. Meanwhile, McCoist, who spent the majority of his career at Rangers, is no stranger to the fierce rivalry that exists between the blue side of Glasgow and their bitter rivals, Celtic.

Barnes, who made over 400 appearances for Liverpool and briefly managed Celtic, has a unique perspective on two of the UK’s most passionate rivalries. While he appreciates the fervour that these matches generate, he expressed discomfort with the sectarianism that often overshadows Celtic-Rangers encounters.

“I didn’t like derbies,” Barnes admitted to McCoist when reflecting on his time in Scotland. “Not necessarily the Celtic-Rangers one, but even the Liverpool-Everton one, because I like football and I don’t like to prioritise games. If one match is deemed more important than another, it raises questions about the effort put into every game.”

He continued, “Even in the Everton-Liverpool derby, I prefer a bit of nice football, but let me tell you, there’s not much of that in derbies. You need danger money! I love the passion, but the sectarianism in the Rangers-Celtic matches is something I found troubling, especially when you see young kids getting involved.”

As the Merseyside derby approaches, Liverpool will enter the fray as the clear favourites, sitting at the top of the Premier League, while Everton finds themselves languishing in 15th place. However, history has shown that form can often be disregarded when the blue and red halves of the city collide, and both teams will undoubtedly be fired up when the whistle blows.

‘They Probably Hate Him More Because of His Celebrations’

McManaman, who rose through Liverpool’s youth ranks and made his senior debut in 1990, has a storied history with the club, racking up 364 appearances and scoring 66 goals. Interestingly, he grew up as an Everton fan, a fact that has only added fuel to the fire for Toffees supporters, particularly when a former Evertonian finds the net for Liverpool.

“Robbie Fowler was an Evertonian when he grew up, so they probably hate him more because of his celebrations,” McManaman remarked, highlighting the unique dynamic of the rivalry. He went on to mention other Liverpool legends like Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen, who also had Evertonian roots.

After joining Real Madrid in 1999, McManaman experienced the intensity of two of Spain’s biggest derbies against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. When asked if the Madrid-Barca rivalry surpassed that of Merseyside, he replied, “No, but it’s oddly similar to the Rangers-Celtic game in that it transcends football. It was Catalunya against Madrid, a struggle for independence, which added an extra layer of animosity.”

One infamous moment from the Madrid-Barca rivalry that McManaman recalled was the 2002 incident when a pig’s head was hurled onto the pitch at Camp Nou, aimed at Luis Figo, who had controversially left Barcelona for Real Madrid. “There were whisky bottles, mobile phones, and even golf balls thrown onto the pitch,” he recounted. “A year later, the game was suspended, and we had to walk off again. It was a wild atmosphere.”

As the Merseyside derby approaches, the passion and history behind these rivalries remind us why football is more than just a game; it’s a deeply ingrained part of the culture and identity for fans and players alike.