FA CUP: Van Dijk nets winner on debut as Liverpool, Man United advance

New signing, Virgil van Dijk scored the winner on his debut following his £75m move to Liverpool as the Reds edged past Everton to move into the fourth round of the English FA Cup.

The Merseyside derby lived up to expectation on Friday night at Anfield, as goals by James Milner (penalty) and Gylfi Sigurdsson kept the two sides on level a little over an hour into the game.

But six minutes to time, Van Dijk, who became the most expensive defender in world football after his move from Southampton this week, headed in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s corner to decide the game.

“What a night. It was thoroughly deserved, it felt amazing to be out there, the goal is very special for me and my family.

“Playing at Anfield for Liverpool is a dream for every player. To score a goal is even more special”, Dijk said after the victory.

Read also: Australian Open champion Serena Williams withdraws from tournament​

Jurgen Klopp’s men will play leaders, Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday January 14.

Also on Friday at Old Trafford, Manchester United advanced to the fourth round of the competition with a 2-0 victory over Championship side, Derby County.

It was an entertaining encounter as both sides played goalless until the 84th minute when Jesse Lingard sent a 20-yard shot on the bounce into the top corner for the opener.

And on the stroke of 90 minutes, half-time substitute Lukaku sealed the win after playing a one-two with Anthony Martial to cap off a counter attack.

Having crashed out of the Carabao Cup, the Red Devils will play next at home against Stoke City in the Premier League on January 15.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now