When you contemplate Tranmere Rovers, Liverpool and Everton, it is difficult to escape cliché and ignorance, elitism and stereotype. Rovers are often portrayed as the frail sibling, the black sheep, the forgotten ruin lurking in the shadows of mightier monoliths across the Mersey. Few appreciate the unique heritage of Tranmere, who are treated as an inconsequential afterthought by the established commentariat.

Sure, Tranmere famously beat Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park in 2001, but aside from frequent bygone victories over New Brighton, that is their lone Merseyside derby triumph. Indeed, the rivalry between Tranmere and their bourgeoisie cousins is akin to that between a nail and a hammer – one exists to be thrashed by the other. Sadly, our beloved ragamuffins will never have the resources to readily compete with their Premier League overlords, and there is little we, as fans, can do about it.

However, what if I told you that, contrary to popular belief, Tranmere Rovers have beaten Liverpool – on Christmas Day, 1942, no less. Oh, and they also beat Everton the very next day. Yes, it sounds crazy – the stuff of hyperbolic Planet Prentonia fan fiction – but it is true. And nobody seems to...