The Merseyside derby has seen some incredible moments throughout the years.
From Ian Rush scoring four goals against Everton in 1982, all the way to Virgil van Dijk heading in his first goal for Liverpool against the Toffees in 2018. However, not many are better than Steven Gerrard’s hat-trick against the Reds’ city rivals during the 2011/12 campaign.
That night was a special one in the Liverpool legend’s career, and those three goals provided the first hat-trick in a Merseyside derby for 30 years with Ian Rush’s in 1982 being the last and it was also the first at Anfield since 1935.
Despite all his hard work against Everton that night, Gerrard would credit one ‘special’ Liverpool star for helping him achieve it, who would go on to have some memorable derby moments of his own.
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Steven Gerrard praises Luis Suarez after Merseyside derby hat-trick
Gerrard played in many tough matches for Liverpool and some of them would have come against Everton, but that was not the case in 2012.
The midfielders wiped the floor with the Toffees with the Reds legend scoring all three goals in a 3-0 win over the Blues but after the final whistle, the Liverpool captain was not eager to take all the credit for the three points.
Gerrard credited Luis Suarez with his Merseyside derby hat-trick after the Uruguayan provided the assists for his second and third goals, the final one seeing the striker unselfishly put the ball on a plate for his captain to finish off.
“To beat Everton is always special. So to get three goals, I suppose, a little bit extra,” Gerrard told Sky Sports after the match. “I have to give my teammates a special mention, especially Luis Suarez, he put two on a plate for me.
“I haven’t played with him much. But you know, when I have, we seem to have an understanding. With Andy (Carroll) as well, I think the three of us in the starting 11 are always going to be a threat. Hopefully, that can continue to get stronger and stronger.”
Peter Crouch previously stated that Gerrard would remind the Liverpool dressing room just how important Merseyside derby matches are and that night it was clear that Suarez got that message.
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Luis Suarez’s Merseyside derby moments
Just like Gerrard, Suarez has had some memorable derby moments of his own, with the Uruguayan never experiencing defeat against Everton during his time at Liverpool.
The striker played six games against the Toffees and finished with a record of four wins and two draws, while scoring five goals and producing a further four assists against the Blues.
His FA Cup semi-final goal, the double assist for Gerrard, and his performance in a 4-0 win in 2014 are all some of Suarez’s best Everton memories.
However, from the fans’ point of view, Liverpool supporters will never forget when Suarez celebrated in front of David Moyes, which has gone down as an iconic Merseyside derby moment.
The Uruguayan striker was a genius during his time on Merseyside and everyone associated with the red half of Liverpool were glad he showcased it often on derby day.
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