In October 1957, to commemorate the installation of floodlights at Anfield and Goodison Park, both clubs agreed to meet in a two-legged tie, with the Liverpool County FA donating a prize to the winners in celebration of its 75th anniversary.
At a time when the city’s two clubs were a division apart, for supporters starved of their annual derby fix it was a welcome addition to the calendar.
Goodison hosted the inaugural game, and it went to form. First Division Everton ran out 2-0 winners before surviving a 3-2 defeat in the Anfield return to clinch an aggregate victory.
The matches proved so popular that a decision was taken to make it an annual event and that’s when this new trophy – the Floodlit Challenge Cup – was commissioned.
Despite the glorified friendly status of the competition, both sides usually fielded close to full-strength teams and, with local pride at stake, the games were fiercely contested.
In 1958-59 Liverpool upset the odds, succeeding 2-1 at home and 3-2 away, then repeated that success the following season, winning 3-0 across the park before a 2-0 loss in front of the Kop.