Everton’s future is bright, but Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool bring a painful reminder | OneFootball

The atmosphere beforehand made it feel like a big moment for Everton ahead of the first Merseyside derby at their new home.

There were fireworks in the sky and hope in the air that the Toffees could close to within two points of their neighbours, Liverpool.

There was also a tifo proclaiming them as “The Originals”, a jibe at their rivals, given they were founded first.

They hoped a victory could seriously boost their chances of European qualification in their first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Yet when Virgil van Dijk rose to head home the winner in the 100th minute, the stadium turned into a sea of empty blue seats apart from one corner, which was celebrating wildly.

The visiting supporters’ first trip to their neighbours’ new home would end perfectly for them.

Not only did they put a pin in the ballooning optimism around Everton, but they strengthened their own hopes of ensuring they will still qualify for the Champions League despite a season of unexpected struggle for the side soon to relinquish its Premier League title.

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Liverpool’s Curtis Jones mimes crowning Mohamed Salah as he celebrates (PA)

Van Dijk ran off in celebration after heading home Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time corner and held a finger to his ear. The home fans had been silenced, and he was letting them know he could no longer hear their jeers.

It was a moment in which Liverpool reasserted their dominance over their local rivals. They remain far from being a dominant force in the Premier League this season, though.

It wasn’t a performance that shows they’re on their way back to their best, but it was a result – and a momentum-building moment – which puts them closer to ensuring they will play against the best sides in Europe again next term.

They’re now seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with five games to go and, given the London club’s form, Arne Slot’s side are in a seriously strong position.

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Liverpool celebrate victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium (PA)

“Of course, that’s very important because we are, as ever, focused on qualifying for the Champions League,” said Slot when asked about how big it was to extend the gap on Chelsea.

“But the lead-up to this game, it wasn’t as much about the league table, it was also about representing Liverpool.

“Four days ago, we paid our respects to the enormous tragedy that happened at Hillsborough. We also used this for the game today because it’s a privilege to represent this club.

“Today, the players showed what it means to represent this club.

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Everton’s Beto (second left) celebrates scoring their side’s first goal (PA)

“To beat Everton in their first game in the new stadium after the week we had is an enormous compliment to everybody involved in Liverpool FC.”

A first-half goal for Liverpool from soon-to-be-departing Mohamed Salah – his ninth and final Premier League strike in the Merseyside derby – had somewhat dampened the atmosphere that had been built on with a strong start in the game from Everton.

The fact that it came moments after VAR rightly ruled out an opener from Iliman Ndiaye only diminished the mood further. The stadium announcer had proclaimed that as the first-ever Merseyside goal to be scored here, but he didn’t mention the honour for Salah when he netted after a fine pass from Cody Gakpo.

Yet when Beto turned home a cross from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to level the game in the 54th minute, all the early optimism surged back into the stadium.

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Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal (Getty)

Last February, James Tarkowski scored a stunning late equaliser in the final derby at Goodison Park. That night, the Grand Old Lady shook, and it felt as if the home side could find a winner here; then this new stadium would have a real test of its foundations.

The fact Liverpool had to bring on third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman for just his second appearance because Giorgi Mamardashvili, who later went to hospital with what Slot called a “wound”, was injured by Beto’s boot as he scored the equaliser, only added to Everton’s expectation.

When the fourth official displayed 11 minutes were to be added on, there was still a belief that the moment could come, but it would go the other way. When Tarkowski scored that goal last season, Liverpool were 30 points ahead of Everton. Van Dijk’s winner moves them eight clear, which, while the Reds have regressed, shows the progression of David Moyes’ team.

The Toffees remain just a point behind sixth-placed Chelsea, albeit with Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton also above them in the race for European places.

“The players have been told I thought they did a great job in the main, there were periods when Liverpool had control, but there were long periods when we had control as well,” said the Everton manager.

“The players done a good job, but there were no rewards today.”

Instead, the rewards went to Liverpool. There will be no silverware for them this season, but there might be a chance to at least put some shine on a campaign lacking bright moments like this one.