Liverpool 2-1 Everton
Virgil Van Dijk had a dream debut in the Merseyside Derby, scoring a late winner to send Liverpool into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.
It’s a result which keeps the red half of Liverpool alive in the famous competition, and crucially gives their fans the local bragging rights. This is known as the ‘Friendly Derby’ but at times it was just the opposite, exactly how the neutral football betting fans and passionate supporters like their football games.
It was a match brimming with fire and passion, and in a bad tempered first half Toffees fan Wayne Rooney was booked, after only seven minutes, for a foul on Joe Gomez. During the game Everton announced the signing of Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun; but for much of the first hour they seemed happy to defend as Liverpool probed with little success. Of course, the Reds have signed the man they needed to shore up their flaky defence in £75m Virgil Van Dijk and the Anfield faithful were delighted to see him for the first time.
The Reds eventually broke through on 35 minutes when Adam Lallana drew a foul in the box and James Milner slammed the ball home from the spot. And then to finish the half as it started Roberto Firmino and Mason Holgate almost came to blows just before the break!
Liverpool was on the front foot again in the second period, and just after the hour Van Dijk came close to a debut goal, aiming a header on target but straight at Jordan Pickford. It looked like that miss could be costly when the shock equaliser came on 67 minutes, Gylfi Sigurdsson giving the Toffees fans cause to celebrate, firing low into the corner following a brilliant counter attack.
And so, with five minutes left, the stage was set for Van Dijk’s big moment, and he took his chance with relish powering home a header from a corner as Pickford floundered.
£75m well spent!
For the latest sports update, promotions and betting picks with SBOBET get social with our official Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Facebook accounts. Visit SBOBET and join us now. Start placing your bets today!
Click for more football betting options.
