Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RED VAN MAN
Dream debut for Klopp’s new £75million defender
HE WAS bought to stop goals rather than score them, but Virgil van Dijk was the unlikely hero on his Liverpool debut.
The £75million defender headed an 84th-minute winner to settle an incredible blood-and-thunder Merseyside derby. Just when Everton seemed on course for a replay, Van Dijk powered forward to bring Anfield to life. Liverpool celebrated wildly, the Dutchman enjoying the sort of moment in front of the Kop he had always dreamed of, while Everton sank to their knees in despair. What an incredible ending to a brilliant third-round tie, which reminded everyone of the magic of the FA Cup. There was a fierce and frenetic start, with challenges flying in to warm up a cold Anfield night. Wayne Rooney was clearly fired up as he ran a gauntlet of catcalls from the home fans and his temper got to him as he launched a horrific late challenge on Joe Gomez.
Referee Bobby Madley showed him a yellow card and it ensured matters got even more feisty as, never mind the competition, old rivalries die hard.
Yannick Bolasie was lively down Everton’s right, providing pace that has been sorely missing this season. Bolasie’s duel with Liverpool leftback Andy Robertson was a fantastic battle.
Everton’s James Mccarthy was flying into tackles and it was a far more even contest than last month’s derby when Liverpool dominated,
but Rooney’s late equaliser nicked a point. Liverpool were lively going forward, even without two of their Fab Four – the injured Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho waiting on a call from Barcelona.
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were causing problems, while fit-again Adam Lallana was buzzing all over the pitch.
Liverpool looked more dangerous and could have gone ahead after 25 minutes when Gomez’s long diagonal ball found James Milner bursting into the box, but he steered his shot wide.
A big moment came after 35 minutes. Mason Holgate tried to jockey Lallana on the edge of the box, put his arms around the midfielder who went down.
Madley had no hesitation, pointing straight to the spot. It soft, but Liverpool were equally unimpressed when Everton received a similar reward in last month’s league game.
Milner stepped up and even before he made up his mind, keeper Jordan Pickford dived early, allowing the Liverpool midfielder to shoot straight down the middle.
But it also turned up the volume inside Anfield. Everton were incensed and angry – and that was the underlying reason behind an ugly flashpoint a minute before half-time.
Holgate chased down Firmino, then pushed him off the pitch and into the stands. The Brazilian reacted furiously at Holgate, who responded in kind. Referee Madley was in danger of losing control as the game reached boiling point. But suddenly this was a brilliant derby, full of passion.
Liverpool really should have sealed it in the second half as they pushed Everton back but Robertson, Lallana and van Dijk all missed chances.
Then Everton launched a stunning counter-attack after 67 minutes which was all about the pace they have been missing.
Bolasie started the break from deep with a brilliant run, substiwas tute Ademola Lookman found the unlikely figure of Phil Jagielka charging forward and his lay-off was perfect for Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The Icelander guided a shot from the edge of the box to leave Liverpool keeper Loris Karius helpless. It sent the visiting fans wild behind the goal and boss Sam Allardyce was punching the air in delight as Everton sensed another big result at Anfield.
But just when it looked as if Everton were going to take their neighbours back to Goodison, they fell apart with the sort of defensive chaos we have come to expect from Liverpool rather than a Big Sam back four.
Alex Oxlade-chamberlain whipped in a corner, Pickford was left in no man’s land while Van Dijk was left to head home an incredible winner.