We look at what could have been...
Wednesday 27 January 2016 22:48, UK
Everton fell just short of setting up a Merseyside derby Capital One Cup final as they were beaten by Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Roberto Martinez's side lead 2-1 from the first leg, but they were unable to complete the job and join Liverpool in the Wembley showpiece as City won the second leg 3-1.
It would have been the first Wembley final between the sides since 1989. Here we take a look at the previous Merseyside derby finals…
1984 League Cup final - Liverpool 0-0 Everton
The first competitive all-Merseyside final was also in the League Cup - then known as the Milk Cup - some 32 years ago, when Joe Fagan's Liverpool headed to Wembley Stadium to take on the Toffees.
Liverpool were defending champions and would go on to win the league and European Cup in the same season but were fortunate to earn a League Cup final replay after Alan Hansen appeared to handle Everton striker Adrian Heath's goalbound shot on the line.
However, referee Alan Robinson controversially ruled in the Reds' favour and after extra time could still not separate the city rivals, a match of little noteworthy incident went to a replay.
1984 League Cup final replay - Liverpool 1-0 Everton
Three days after the goalless draw at Wembley the two teams were at it again, although this time they met at Manchester City's Maine Road ground on a Wednesday night.
The contest was another cagey affair and it needed a brilliant 21st-minute strike from Liverpool captain Graeme Souness to finally separate the sides.
Playing a neat interchange of passes with Kenny Dalglish and Phil Neal, the Scotland midfielder then let the ball run across his chest before unleashing a thumping 30-yard drive that flew past a helpless Neville Southall in Everton's goal.
And that was that as the Reds held on for a 1-0 win to make it a fourth consecutive League Cup triumph.
1986 FA Cup final - Liverpool 3-1 Everton
The two arch rivals came face to face again two years later to contest the FA Cup final, with Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool arriving at the home of football in search of their first-ever Double, having just won the league a week earlier.
As the holders, Everton - who had also finished runners-up to Liverpool in that season's title race - were in a determined mood to spoil the Reds' party.
Howard Kendall's team led at half-time through a typical poacher's effort from Gary Lineker - in his final appearance for the club - but two quick second-half goals from Ian Rush and Craig Johnston turned the final on its head.
Rush then beat Bobby Mimms, playing in goal in place of the injured Southall, late on to seal Liverpool's third Cup win.
1989 FA Cup final - Liverpool 3-2 Everton (aet)
Just five weeks after the Hillsborough disaster, this game was played in a sombre atmosphere in front of 82,800 fans at Wembley on a hot and hazy May afternoon. Both teams wore black armbands and there was a minute's silence before kick-off.
Just four minutes in, Liverpool took the lead through John Aldridge, who swept home from inside the box after being played through on goal by Steve McMahon.
Kenny Dalglish's were just seconds away from victory, only for Everton midfielder Stuart McCall to stab home a close-range equaliser with the final kick of the 90 minutes to spark delirious celebrations among their fans.
However, Everton's scourge, Rush, then put the Reds back ahead five minutes into extra time after swivelling to fire home John Barnes' left-wing cross. McCall again drew the Toffees level, though, with his own brilliant volleyed finish seven minutes later.
The Welsh striker was not to be denied, though, and it was fitting it was Rush who decisively turned this emotional affair Liverpool's way by heading in another Barnes centre moments later, as the Reds got their hands on the Cup for a fourth time.
Watch Man City v Everton live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Wednesday
