The Players From The Mental Merseyside Derby Of 2006 - Where Are They Now?

In recent times, an Everton win in the Merseyside derby has become an increasingly rare sight.

Not since 2010 have the Toffees come away with a win, which is something they will be looking to change when they make the short trip over to Anfield on Saturday for what, on current form for both sides, looks all set to be a goalfest.

With that game taking the attention on the football world on Saturday afternoon, we thought it was time for a trip down memory lane to remember one of the crazier derbies in recent times, as while an Everton win is becoming more and more rare, a 3-0 win for the blues almost never happens.

When Andy Johnson bagged a brace with a little help from Pepe Reina after Tim Cahill gave the home side the lead... That was Everton's first, and only 3-0 win over Liverpool since 1944.

We've looked back at the lineups and after seeing some great names that we haven't heard from in a while, we thought we'd track down where they all are today and what they are up to.

Everton:

Tim Howard

Then: On loan from Manchester United, in his first season of what would become a successful permanent deal.

Now: Still going strong, currently playing alongside Kevin Doyle for the Colorado Rapids. Also still playing international football at 28.

Joleon Lescott

Then: In his first season of what would be an excellent spell at Everton. Would go on to be one of the most consistent defenders in the league before earning a big money move to Man City.

Now: At Sunderland where he has played a total of 34 minutes this season after being handed a second chance by his former boss David Moyes who was extremely desperate in the January window. After a horror-show at Aston Villa where the club got relegated and he became a public hate-figure for tweeting a picture of an expensive car after a loss, he played in Greece for a bit. A strange decline.

Tony Hibbert

Then: Fan favourite and one-club man, solid when called upon, he only made 13 appearances that season.
Now: Retired, and left the club last season on a bit of a sour note as the club seemingly told everyone but him that he was going to be released.

Gary Naysmith

Then: In what would prove to be his last season at the club, Naysmith on one of his last appearances for the club that helped beat Portsmouth and pretty much ensure that Everton would be playing European football next season. He, on the other hand, signed for Sheffield United in the following summer.

Now: Current manager of Scottish Championship club Queen of the South after spending three years as the boss at East Fife.

Phil Neville

Then: Recently made club vice-captain, and would take over the captain role when David Weir left for Rangers in January of 2007.

Now: One of the more divisive pundits on Match Of The Day, often in the news for his staunch defence of the potential of John Stones.

Joseph Yobo

Then: Linked heavily with a move to Arsenal, but would sign a contract extension until 2010 as one of Moyes' key players.

Now: Very little information around other than the fact that he is married to a Nigerian beauty queen who recently gave birth to their third child. Still plays the odd bit of football in Nigeria for testimonials and the like, and is involved with the everyday running of the Joseph Yobo Foundation.

Mikel Arteta

Then: One of the finest midfielders in the Premier League, would chip in with 9 goals and 9 assists that season. Eventually moved to Arsenal in 2011.

Now: On Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Manchester City.

Tim Cahill

Then: An absolute menace for any defence in the Premier League, particularly in the air.

Now: Enjoying his legendary status and chipping in with the odd goal for Melbourne City in the A-League.

Lee Carsley

Then: Started every league game during the 2006–07 season and helped Everton to 6th place and UEFA Cup qualification.

Now: Coach of the Man City U18s, still best mates with Kevin Kilbane.

Leon Osman

Then: A stalwart in the Everton side and at his solid-if-unspectacular best. Would go on to make two appearances for England.

Now: Has been out of contract for a year after being released by Everton, recently decided against a move to Rangers. Likely to pop up on A Question Of Sport or Match Of The Day every now and then.

Andrew Johnson

Then: In his first season at Everton, scored 11 goals during the campaign including 2 on that day against Liverpool.

Now: An ambassador for Crystal Palace, and recently joined twitter:

As a thanks for the amazing support on my 1st day on Twitter, I'm giving away the boots I wore for my last @CPFC game. RT & follow to win. pic.twitter.com/Na98qDRBAs

— Andy Johnson (@AndyJohnson08) January 11, 2017

Subs:

James Beattie

Then: In his last season at Everton as David Moyes was not his biggest fan. He did make 33 appearances that season, but 18 were from the bench.

Now: Strikers coach at Leeds United, recently featured in a cracking video with Jimmy Bullard for Soccer AM.

Nuno Valente

Then: Signed the season before on the recommendation of Jose Mourinho, Valente was used sparingly as he battled with Gary Naysmith for the starting spot.

Now: Currently in the process of doing his coaching badges, claims he wants to follow in the footsteps of his former coach Jose Mourinho.

Liverpool:

Pepe Reina

Then: Liverpool's slightly erratic first-choice goalkeeper, he had a shocker on that day but would soon grow in to a reliable shot-stopper.

Now: Still playing and playing well for Napoli who sit third in Serie A.

Steve Finnan

Then: Mr.Reliable, Benitez would sign several right-backs to try and replace him but never could until he left for Espanyol of all places in 2008. Was clearly fouled for the opening goal in this particular match.

Now: We honestly have no idea. There are few footballers who have managed to remove themselves from the grid as Finnan has, so much so that he was reported 'missing' in 2015 when Liverpool officials were unable to track him down for an Instabul reunion.

Sami Hyypia

Then: A rock at the back, the 06/07 season would be the first in which Hyypia did not manage to play 30 games for Liverpool, as he slowly saw his role reduced before leaving in 2009.

Now: An our of work manager after he was sacked by FC Zurich last year, also doing a spot of pundit work around Europe.

Fabio Aurelio

Then: One of countless bang-average fullbacks in that era for Liverpool, he had a cracking left-peg and not much else.

Now: Enjoying his retirement in his native Brazil having hung up his boots in 2013.

Jamie Carragher

Then: A massively important player for Liverpool, would go on to score his third and final league goal for the club in that season.

Now: One of the best pundits on TV, and regularly proving analysis and entertainment on Sky Sports.

Xabi Alonso

Then: Perhaps underrated in the heart of Liverpool's midfield, as likely to score from the half-way line as he was to pick up a yellow card.

Now: Widely recognised as one of the classiest footballers ever, he recently announced that he will retire at the end of the season having enjoyed a very successful spell at Bayern Munich to finish his outstanding career.

Mohamed Sissoko

Then: Somewhat of a cult hero at Anfield for his energy and madness in midfield.

Now: Still playing, for Ternana Calcio in Serie B at the moment after spells in China and India in recent years.

Steven Gerrard

Then: Captain fantastic, Gerrard would score 10 league goals that season as he entered the prime of his playing career.

Now: A pundit for BT Sport having retired from the game at the end of the last MLS season.

Luis Garcia

Then: A fan favourite at Anfield, this would be Garcia's last season in England as Atletico Madrid soon brought him back to Spain.

Now: A decent up-and-coming football pundit who has been seen on Sky Sports' Spanish football and TV3's Europa League coverage in recent times.

Peter Crouch

Then: A bicycle-kick enthusiast, Crouch would make 32 league appearances for Liverpool that season, scoring 9 goals.

Now: Still going strong at Stoke City, recently scored his 100th Premier League goal.

Robbie Fowler

Then: Enjoying his first full season of his return to Liverpool, not as effective as the fans so badly wanted him to be. Made just 16 league appearances that season.

Now: Liverpool club ambassador, and scored in a legends match against Real Madrid last weekend.

Subs:

John Arne Riise

Then: A bombing left back with a cannon of a shot, Liverpool's first choice making 30+ appearances that season.

Now: Seriously good entertainment on Twitter, he's enjoying retired life and also played in that legends match against Real Madrid last week.

Jermaine Pennant

Then: Capable of moments of magic but painfully inconsistent, this was Pennant's first season at Liverpool where he scored 1 league goal in 34 appearances.

Now: Still playing, although not regularly, for Bury in League One after a spell in Singapore.

Dirk Kuyt

Then: A fan favourite for his love of hard work and inability to stop running. Enjoyed a great return of 12 league goals that season.

Now: Captain and living legend at Feyenoord, this may be his last season but the Kuyt name will surely live on in football as his 5-year-old son Aiden already looks like a world beater.