It was the perfect opportunity for participants from both clubs to meet and come together for the first time to show unity between the clubs amongst the refugee community in the Liverpool City Region.

This was the 1st official 11-a-side game for both teams which resulted in a characteristically competitive game with Liverpool coming out triumphant with a 5-1 victory over Everton.

The event took place earlier this week ahead of the derby which is dedicated to the Premier League’s No Room For Racism initiative.

All top-flight games between October 7 and 23 are seeing the league and its clubs reiterate the call for supporters to challenge and report discrimination, wherever they see it. Players are also taking the knee before kick-off at all 20 fixtures to show their unity against all forms of discrimination, including when Liverpool host Everton this afternoon.

Liam Gerrard, Inclusion Coordinator said: “The Merseyside derby is one of the biggest games in the football calendar so for the LFC Foundation and Everton in the Community being able to use on-field rivalry to be able to be able to create moments like this for our participants and play at the Liverpool Academy is such a great feeling.”

John Bilsborrow, Living Well Coordinator at EITC added: “It was great to see players on both sides all come together and enjoy the afternoon regardless of the colour of shirt that they were wearing.”

LFC Foundation's Inclusion Department, through the Red Together Refugee/Asylum Seeker Football provision and funded by Islamic Relief UK, supports Refugees and Asylum Seekers across the Liverpool City Region and this event amplifies the work being done to help create a more cohesive community and support those seeking a new life in the UK.