Everton fans should be noisy tonight as Goodison Park hosts its final Merseyside derby, but will this atmosphere be replicated in their new home at Bramley Moore?

For the 112th and final time, Everton will host rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park tonight.

With bragging rights on the line, the game has always produced a raucous energy from the crowd and the finality of the game means the noise levels in L4 should be off the scale.

Described as claustrophobic by many with old seating that sits so close to the pitch, Goodison Park has been a tough place for visitors to go throughout its 133-year history.

And their Merseyside rivals have found it no different.

Preparing for his first Merseyside derby, Liverpool manager Arne Slot has talked about his players needing to be “mentally strong” ahead of the clash.

But whilst much of the build up to the game has been spent reminiscing about Goodison Park, what can Blues expect of the derby atmosphere in their new home at Bramley Moore?

Relocating always comes with the added risk that the character and traditions of a club aren’t carried along with them on their travels.

A short walk across Stanley Park is evidence of that, and many Liverpool fans consider themselves very fortunate that the proposed move to a new stadium under the turbulent ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett fell through in favour of redeveloping Anfield under FSG.

Luckily for Everton, it seems maintaining the roar of The Grand Old Lady was a priority when planning their new 53,000-seater stadium.

In an interview with CLAD back in 2018, Dan Meis, architect of the Toffees new home said:

“There’s a cautionary tale with a lot of the new UK sports buildings.

“Clubs have moved to new venues that have none of the sense of history or the spirit of where they were before.

“I think what we’re seeing with the West Ham backlash, for example, is that you can have a shiny new stadium, but if it’s not a great football venue it is going to face challenges.”

In light of these concerns, Meis believes his design for Everton Stadium will maintain the claustrophobic feel of Goodison Park in Bramley Moore.

In 2023, he tweeted:

“I am going to go on record that Bramley Moore will quickly gain recognition as one of the most intimidating grounds in the Premier League.

“Just look at the proximity to the pitch, and how close the roof is to the seating, compared to say Emirates. It will be deafening.”

It may be the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, but the hope is the Blues will feel like they have never left when they face the Reds next season.

Featured image taken by Iona Macpherson

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