By the end of the 2001 -- 02 , Liverpool had finished above Everton in the league for 15 seasons in succession .
2002 -- 03 saw Everton showing signs of eclipsing them for the first time in years .
By the end of the 2001 -- 02 , Liverpool had finished above Everton in the league for 15 seasons in succession , but 2002 -- 03 saw Everton showing signs of eclipsing them for the first time in years .