Liverpool perhaps more than anywhere else in the world has soaked up it's Irish influence like the spuds at the bottom of a bowl of scouse (that's pretty much just stew to you and I). To this day the city is interlinked with the thousands upon thousands of Irish immigrants that stepped off boats during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The culture and, perhaps most evidently, the accent borrow heavily from this side of the Irish Sea and the football teams have also followed that tradition.
Everton currently hold the upper hand when it comes to boasting a significant Irish contingent but what of the historical situation? The greatest Everton Irish XI vs the greatest Liverpool Irish XI , who would win?
Given the day that's in it, the Liverpool Echo have gone ahead and put two teams together and, if we're being honest, we know who we'd be putting our money on if all things were equal. However, we're willing to admit that there may be a generational gap at play here. Bobby Irvine signed for Everton in 1921, so we can't really have a fair discussion about his strengths as opposed to Robbie Keane.
Everton Irish XI:
Pat Jennings
Seamus Coleman (Tommy Clinton) - Richard Dunne - Lee Carsley - Mick Meagan
Billy Bingham - Kevin Sheedy - Peter Farrell - Tommy Eglington
Bobby Irvine - Norman Whiteside
Liverpool Irish XI:
Elisha Scott
Steve Finnan - Phil Babb - Mark Lawrenson - Steve Staunton
Ray Houghton - Ronnie Whelan - Jason McAteer
Robbie Keane - John Aldridge - Steve Heighway
The Everton team is confused a bit by the fact that Seamus Coleman is listed in the discussion as being the pick for right back but then Tommy Clinton is listed in the team-sheet. We're going to assume it's Coleman who gets the nod in the end.
The Echo have simulated the match and put it down as a spirited 3-3 St Patrick's Day draw. However, we're giving it to the Liverpool side, mainly because we're annoyed the Echo managed to leave Kevin Kilbane out of the Everton XI. Criminal decision, sure he can play anywhere.
