Liverpool moved from fourth to third in the First Division with a 3–1 win at Everton on 27 March 1982. Ronnie Whelan, Graeme Souness and Craig Johnston supplied the goals at Goodison Park, with two second-half strikes deciding a derby that was level at the interval.
Whelan opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Everton answered within minutes through Graeme Sharp, and the teams went in at half-time at 1–1.
Souness, Liverpool's captain, restored the lead in the 57th minute from Kenny Dalglish's assist. Everton were still only a goal behind when Johnston made it 3–1 in the 81st, supplied by Ian Rush. Liverpool's forwards had contributed to the decisive goals, but the scoring came from midfield.
The crowd was 51,847. Howard Kendall's Everton remained twelfth, while Liverpool's victory brought them to 54 points from 29 matches, level on points with Manchester United and Ipswich Town and ahead of both on goal difference.
Southampton still led the table with 58 points. Liverpool were four behind, but had played four fewer matches than the leaders.