Memories of Derby Day for Ex-Socceroo
Brad Jones knows all about the fierce energy of the Merseyside derby from his days at Liverpool. What used to be called the friendly derby has turned into a tough battle. As a former Liverpool and Socceroos goalkeeper, he remembers the emotions and challenges of these big games.
During his five seasons with Liverpool, Jones played in two Merseyside derbies in 2012. Each game had its own story. One was a wild Premier League match in late 2012, early on in Brendan Rodgers’ time as manager. Derby Day Heckles Still Linger for Ex-Socceroo.
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A Wild Premier League Game
That league match was a whirlwind. Liverpool scored two goals early on, thanks to Luis Suarez. But Everton came back and tied the game before halftime. Just when it seemed Liverpool had scored the winning goal late in the match, it got called offside.
Jones recalls the crazy scene. We thought we had it won at the end, and then the flag went up, he said on Optus Sport’s Takes from the Terrace. I started celebrating, and Stevie G ran off to the away fans. But then I saw the flag out of the corner of my eye.
When he realized the call, he had to hurry back to his goal. I thought, ‘Oh no, I’ve got to get back; I’m way out of position!’ I shouted to [Steven Gerrard], ‘It was off,’ and then I ran back to the goal in case they took a quick free kick.
Despite the last-minute tension, Liverpool held on for a 2-2 draw. But one moment from the first half was a hot topic. Before the match, Everton’s manager David Moyes had taken a jab at Suarez about diving. After scoring, Suarez ran to the Everton bench and jokingly dove in front of Moyes.
Jones remembers the chatter in the Liverpool locker room after the game. We were like, ‘Maybe tone it down,’ but he was just laughing. He didn’t care what anyone thought. Sometimes, a draw away isn’t bad, but it felt like a loss for us. In our locker room, anything less than a win wasn’t good enough. Derby Day Heckles Still Linger for Ex-Socceroo.
The Derby Week Buzz
Jones also talked about the special vibe in Liverpool during derby week. The city isn’t very big, so the rivalry becomes even more intense. The city gets really quiet, he said. The build-up is huge—especially for Everton fans. In Liverpool, you can’t hide. It’s not a huge place, and wherever you go, people are watching.
Even as a backup goalkeeper, Jones felt the heat from fans. I wasn’t the star player, but I couldn’t walk through the city without someone giving me a hard time. If I ran into an Everton fan, they’d let me know. The tension was high because no one wants to be the reason their team loses a derby.
A Memorable FA Cup Semi-Final
Jones’ other experience in a Merseyside derby was the FA Cup semi-final that season, where Liverpool faced Everton at Wembley. Everton scored first, but Liverpool came back with goals from Suarez and Andy Carroll to win 2-1. His fellow Aussie, Tim Cahill, played for Everton that day.
For Jones, playing at Wembley in such a big match was special. That one really stands out because we won, he said. I didn’t play much before that, and then suddenly I was in a giant match. Playing at Wembley in a Merseyside derby and winning—it was amazing.
Even though time has passed, Brad Jones still feels those intense memories of the derby, the rival fans, and the ups and downs. The Merseyside derby was anything but friendly, and the heckles from opposing fans still stick with him.
