Toffees pile on early pressure in historic Merseyside derby

Liverpool got to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time, looking to maintain their grip on fifth-place in the Premier League
Everton host Liverpool in an intriguing Merseyside Derby in the Premier League , the first to be held at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Liverpool finished 36 points ahead of Everton last season in a year where Arne Slot ’s side were champions and the Toffees finished in the bottom half of the table under David Moyes .

But both teams are involved in the fight for Champions League qualification this campaign with Liverpool, who are in fifth, arriving at the Hill Dickinson Stadium just five points ahead of Everton.

Liverpool went out of the Champions League in midweek, losing 2-0 in the second leg against holders Paris-Saint Germain , and were also dealt a major blow with Hugo Ekitike ruled out for the rest of the season .

Follow updates from Everton v Liverpool, below
Appeals for a penalty from the Everton fans as Curtis Jones goes shoulder to shoulder with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has run off the back of Szoboszlai and goes to the ground, but the referee isn’t interested.

VAR quickly agrees after a check and that looked like the right decision to me - just your normal physicality in a football match.

Dewsbury-Hall was keen to go down
Liverpool need to settle after that early scare and they patiently build before winning a first corner of the day.

Szoboszlai’s cross is headed away by Beto though.

Gravenberch then clatters Gueye on halfway to stop the counter-attack - Everton beg for a yellow card but just the free-kick.

By the way, I should note that Curtis Jones appears to be the man at right-back for Liverpool today, with Szoboszlai joining Gravenberch in midfield
Gravenberch gives away the first foul of the day near halfway and shakes his head as he jogs away.

Everton work the ball into the box but Tarkowski’s flick-on goes out for a goal-kick.

The Everton fans no slowing down in their constant jeering of Liverpool whenever they’re on the ball
The Everton fans roaring every touch so far and booing most of Liverpool’s, especially from captain Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

KICK-OFF!

Everton 0-0 Liverpool
And we’re off!

Underway for the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Let’s get it!

Teams are out and tifo on display
The teams walk out and the atmosphere is crackling.

This is awesome.

Goosebumps
Five minutes until kick-off and the Hill Dickinson Stadium is absolutely rocking
Hill Dickinson Stadium's first Merseyside derby
A first Merseyside derby at the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon.

It’s a stunning venue to be fair, and is looking exquisite today.

Can Everton give it the christening they want?

Arne Slot insist Hugo Ekitike will return stronger after ‘devastating’ injury
Hugo Ekitike’s achilles injury is a devastating blow for Liverpool but Arne Slot has backed the Frenchman to return stronger than ever.

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