Virgil van Dijk made a scoring start to his Liverpool career as his late header eased Liverpool past Everton in an FA cup third round fixture between the two Merseyside clubs.
The World’s costliest defender at a whooping £75m, began his Anfield career on a promising note as he capped an impressive outing by jumping highest to head home in the 85th minute to to hand Liverpool a 2:1 win which ensured they remain unbeaten against Everton in a record 16 derby games
Liverpool continued their impressive form in recent games, dictating play inspite of missing some key performers. James Milner gave them the lead in the 35th minute when he converted from the penalty spot after Mason Holgate fouled Adam Lallana.
Everton, found a way back into the game after a brilliant counter-attack was finished by Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 67th minute, but Van Dijk was to have the last say as he stole the show with his late winner.
The goal was Van Dijk’s first in any competition since scoring in last season’s FA Cup third round for Southampton, and starts to repay the huge transfer fee that Liverpool paid for the defender this month.
Unlike in their last game in the premier league in which Liverpool gave Everton a complete run around with the eventual 2:2 result seen as a lucky outcome for the Toffees, this was a totally different ball game as Everton appeared ready for the fight. The first half was even, despite Liverpool going in with the lead after a moment of madness from Holgate had led to a penalty which Milner duly converted past Pickford.
Holgate was involved in another flashpoint towards the end of the first half when he shoved Roberto Firmino into the stands and the pair both reacted angrily.
Liverpool took more control of the game after half-time but Joe Gomez and Van Dijk both missed good headed chances.
And, just as they were a month ago, it looked like the Reds might rue their missed chances as Sigurdsson finished off a swift counter from a corner with a composed finish from the edge of the box. But on this occasion a Van Dijk moment of brilliance spared them blushes.
Klopp gave Van Dijk his Liverpool debut with Mane also starting despite being in Ghana yesterday for the African Player of the Year awards. Salah and Coutinho were not in the squad. Sigurdsson, Jagielka, Kenny, Calvert-Lewin and McCarthy came into the Everton XI after their defeat to Manchester United.