Liverpool has a long history of Irish players playing for both the blue and red half of the city, from as early as the the early 20th century.
To this day, Irish players have frequented both the Liverpool and Everton squads.
From the time John Aldridge led the line for Liverpool to Seamus Coleman's wonderful performances in the current Everton squad, we've decided to pick our all-Irish Liverpool-Everton XI ahead of tonight's Merseyside derby.
Elisha Scott (GK)
Made 430 appearances in total for Liverpool between 1912 and 1934 and helped them to consecutive league titles in 1921/22 and 1922/23. Missing just three games in the first season, he was ever-present in the second.
Elisha Scott, Liverpool goalkeeper. Image: Unknown / EMPICS Sport
Seamus Coleman (RB)
The Irish international began his career in the League of Ireland and came for a GAA background. However since his move to the Premier League he has blossomed. Currently injured and would be a huge loss to Ireland ahead of the European Championships, he's made 180 appearances for the Premier League side.
Image: Steve Paston / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Jim Beglin (CB)
Enjoyed a very successful career in the red of Liverpool. Between 1983-1989 he made 98 appearances for the club. He helped them to the league and FA Cup double in 1986 and the Charity Shield later in that year.
Jim Beglin (L) in action against Juventus. Image: Peter Robinson / EMPICS Sport
Richard Dunne (CB)
Began his senior career at Everton where he played 60 times for the club in the mid-nineties.
Infamously holds the all-time record for most amount of own-goals scored by a player (10) but fortunately none of these came for the Toffees.
A reliable centre-back, he has been involved in more than 500 matches at the top level.
Richard Dunne playing for Everton in 2000. Image: Neal Simpson / EMPICS Sport
Steve Finnan (LB)
A Champions League winner with Liverpool in the famous 2005 comeback in Istanbul. Finnan made 145 appearances for Liverpool during a prosperous time in their recent history; an FA Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and a Charity Shield were all won during his five year stint with the club.
Two masters of their trade. Image: Matthew Ashton / EMPICS Sport
Ray Houghton (RM)
Two FA Cups, two league titles and two Charity Shields is a great return for the five years he spent with Liverpool. An obvious choice because of his undoubted quality on the ball.
Image: S&G / S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport
James McCarthy (CM)
Another of the current crop of players, McCarthy certainly gets the nod in midfield. An Everton choice, McCarthy has carved out a reputation as a tough-tackling midfielder who has flourished alongside Gareth Barry. Learned a lot from Roberto Martinez at Wigan and remains with the manager in the blue half of Merseyside.
Not afraid to put a boot in... or leave a boot in. Image: Jon Super / AP/Press Association Images
Ronnie Whelan (CM)
Another player from the golden generation of Irish soccer, Whelan was a key man in the Liverpool midfield. Made more than 350 appearances for the club, and he also chipped in with a few goals.
Whelan celebrates after scoring. Image: Sport and General / S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport
Kevin Sheedy (LM)
With a whopping 77 goals in 274 appearances, he completes our midfield. Did feature briefly for Liverpool, but his contribution to the Everton cause makes him a true blue. A European Cup Winners medal and a league title to his name, he featured during a golden time in Everton's history.
Sheedy playing for Everton in 1990. Image: Neal Simpson / EMPICS Sport
John Aldridge (F)
The most obvious inclusion of perhaps all the forward players, he scored 63 goals for Liverpool during his time with the club. As prolific a striker as you're likely to find, forgotten in the shadow of their greats and more recent poachers Suarez, Torres and Carroll. Ok, maybe not Carroll.
Image: Peter Robinson / EMPICS Sport
Robbie Keane (F)
This one is slightly more divisive. He may not have had the greatest spell at Anfield, but his quality is undoubted. A career spanning 349 games and 126 goals in the Premier League, he has to be included. We think. Probably.
Image: PAUL THOMAS / AP/Press Association Images
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
