Historic derby will be one city pubs will never forget

The match is expected to be one of the busiest days the area has ever seen, not because of sheer numbers, but because of energy and atmosphere. Located directly opposite the grounds on Regent Street are a number of small venues who will struggle to pack even a fraction of fans through their doors.

However, regardless of the close-quartered nature of the businesses, the Bramley Moore Hotel pub is ready for action. Every time a match has taken place at Hill Dickinson, the team have lapped up the atmosphere and made the most of the busy schedule.

With Liverpool FC fans ready to descend on the area for the Reds taking on the Blues on home terf, the Bramley Moore is anticipating one of the busiest and greatest days so far since the stadium opened.

The Bramley Moore Hotel's bar lady Lauren Slaughter told the ECHO: "We're very excited. Match days so far have been brilliant and busy but a lot of fun. There's been a lot of interest in the pub from fans coming into the area so it's been good."

The pub boasts a number of "matchday girls" who are ready to delivery great service and laughs with fans from open until close. Lauren added: "We get a very social lot. There's a lot of music and singing so you get to enjoy the shift more on match days. We try and have a good time which is easy when everyone else is out to enjoy themselves."

When quizzed on what sort of energy Liverpool FC fans might bring to the grounds, Lauren expects nothing except "a good time and everyone getting on".

Along Regent Street, fans will also be able to swing by the Bluehouse Bar for an after match pint or elevate their experience in The Terrace - a rooftop bar three stories high overlooking the stadium. To quell their hunger, Bramley Bites, a proper old school café, will be open to give fans a bite to eat.

Everton FC held its first competitive match at the Hill Dickinson stadium on Sunday, August 24. Despite all of the action taking place around the Bramley-Moore Dock area for the long-awaited kick off, hundreds of fans hopped off the train one stop early and descended on the city centre.

With Everton fans pouring into the city centre like never before, business is booming for the pubs lining Dale Street. Denbigh Castle is wall-to-wall Everton fans even on the quietest match days and the past weekend was no different.

The loyal Blue pub is the place to be for match days but staff said there was a noticeable influx for the first competitive game regardless. Ahead of today's derby, manager Stuart Riley told the ECHO he's expecting "a very long day" as the Reds and Blues kick off for the first time at the new stadium.

He added: "We're opening at 9am - as early as we can - as we're expecting it to be very busy. There's a much bigger capacity to cater for now.

"We're always busy on match day and now we're on the walk to the grounds from town. I think Evertonians are a bit more optimistic for this one rather than in previous years."