Liverpool vs Everton: FA Cup third round – Virgil van Dijk heads Reds past Merseyside rivals on debut

Match report from Anfield: Van Dijk scores winner on dream debut

Virgil van Dijk celebrates his winning header (Getty)

Virgil van Dijk made a dream start to his Anfield career, scoring the winning goal on his debut for Liverpool, as they beat city rivals Everton 2-1 in their FA Cup third round tie on Friday.

The Dutchman, signed last week from Southampton for a reported fee of 75 million pounds ($101.7 million), rose inside the area to head home an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain corner in the 84th minute of what had been a pulsating Merseyside derby.

Liverpool looked to have been frustrated after Gylfi Sigurdsson brought Everton level in the 67th minute after a brilliant counter-attack from Sam Allardyce's side.

The home side had taken the lead through a 35th minute penalty from James Milner after Everton defender Mason Holgate had pulled down Adam Lallana in the box.

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[5 January 2018 18:19 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Good evening! The Premier League may be taking a well-earned break but don't fear, the FA Cup is here to fill the void. There are two crackers on the agenda tonight:

Liverpool vs Everton (7.55pm GMT)

Manchester United vs Derby County (8pm GMT)

The Merseyside derby will provide a chance to see a first glimpse of £75m Virgil van Dijk in a Liverpool shirt, while Romelu Lukaku is expected to return to the United squad against Gary Rowett's high-flying Championship side. Stick around for team news, build-up and live coverage coming up shortly. 

[5 January 2018 18:50 · Jack Watson]

Team News

Manchester United vs Derby

Manchester United name a strong eleven against Championship Derby.

[5 January 2018 18:53 · Jack Watson]

Team News

Liverpool vs Everton

Virgil Van Dijk starts for Liverpool after completing his £75m move from Southampton this week. We're still waiting for a confirmed Everton lineup.

[5 January 2018 18:58 · Jack Watson]

Team News

Liverpool vs Everton

And here's how Everton lineup this evening. Phil Jagielka captains the side, Wayne Rooney starts in midfield and Yannick Bolasie continues his return to the side with another start. 

[5 January 2018 19:03 · Jack Watson]

Great challenge

Gary Rowett has Derby County in second place in the Championship and has named a good side against Manchester United. He says the third round tie is a game his players should enjoy and feel relaxed in. 

“It’s a great challenge for the players – one we are going to learn an awful lot from about the players and whether they can step up and take the responsibility in a game of that magnitude.

“It’s a great tool to see which of our players can handle it. We’re aspiring to play against teams like Manchester United every week so if we go fearful and show we can’t handle that type of game then that’s a bit of a worry when it comes to what we are trying to achieve this season.

“There’s no pressure of picking up three points and, if anything, I think it means that we will go there more relaxed and allow us to play with a little more freedom.

“These are the games that we aspire to be facing week in, week out. As a player and a manager, you have to embrace these challenges.

Derby Country Manager Gary Rowett

[5 January 2018 19:05 · Jack Watson]

Exit rumours are 'garbage.'

Jose Mourinho has been on the defensive in the build up to this game. He says he is happy to extend his current deal beyond the agreed three years, which he is half way through.

[5 January 2018 19:07 · Jack Watson]

Paul Pogba arrives at Old Trafford. He once again captains the side.

[5 January 2018 19:11 · Jack Watson]

Derby County won the FA Cup in 1946. Managed by Stuart McMillan, Peter Doherty and Jackie Stamps scored in extra time as the Rams beat Charlton 4-1 in front of a crowd of almost 100,000 people at Wembley. 

[5 January 2018 19:13 · Jack Watson]

Of course Manchester United have a better recent history in the competition. The have won the famous competition 12 times, their most recent in 2016 when they beat Crystal Palace in extra time.

[5 January 2018 19:16 · Jack Watson]

Liverpool fans seem to have taken to their new signing already. In the week the Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, said: "I can imagine that everybody is desperate to see him on the pitch." Tonight the Kop gets their first glimpse of the new signing, how will he do?