A look at four memorable Merseyside Derby debuts by Liverpool stars in the Premier League era
Ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, we look at the best debuts from the Red half of the county in the fixture. There are expectations from fans pertaining to Darwin Nunez featuring against the Toffees in what will be his first derby appearance for the Reds.
With a high price, comes high expectations. Liverpool paid SL Benfica £85m for his services. He had a good first two competitive games for the club, scoring a goal against Manchester City in the FA Community Shield.
He contributed two goals against Fulham. The third game-week though was woeful for the 23-year-old Uruguayan, as he was on the receiving end of a red card for headbutting Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen. He completed the suspension period of three games and is in contention to face Liverpool’s fiercest rivals.
No better occasion to come back to the fold and shut the haters for Darwin, than if he scores against Everton come the weekend. Previously, Virgil van Dijk, who also arrived at Liverpool with the pressure of a huge price tag, scored against Everton on his Reds debut. Similar situations and hope for similar outcomes.
Here are the best four Liverpool Merseyside derby debuts in the Premier League era.
Gary McAllister
2-2 in the 90th minute, Robbie Fowler’s missed penalty, and a hostile atmosphere. The Reds were handed a freekick in the third minute of stoppage time and summer arrival Gary McAllister stepped forward. What followed was a moment for the ages as the veteran beat Paul Gerrard at the near post to send the Red bench into raptures.
One of the most iconic Merseyside derbies. McAllister’s goal since then has been etched in Liverpool fans’ memories and there are few better ways for one to announce themselves.
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian was settling in at Liverpool in the 2017/18 season. Mo’s first season at Liverpool was a revelation. His first Merseyside derby fixture was in December 2017. Salah showed supreme close control in a tight spot and bent his effort around the defender and into the corner in trademark fashion.
A wonderful debut in the fixture for the former AS Roma man, but Liverpool ended the fixture 1-1, with Wayne Rooney scoring from the spot a few minutes later. Nevertheless, it was a good game for Salah and the start of a new era for Liverpool’s potent attack.
Virgil van Dijk
FA Cup Third Round. January 2018. Liverpool had paid a huge sum of £75m to Southampton for the services of a Dutch centre-back. His first appearance in Red vs the blue half of Merseyside. 1-1 in the 83rd minute. The said Dutchman scores a beautiful header from an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain corner to settle the issue once and for all, leading Liverpool to a 2-1 win.
Fast forward to 2019, Virgil van Dijk finishes the Ballon d’Or rankings in third place. One of the world’s best defenders. That 2018 winter transfer window was the start of a revelation in Liverpool’s backline. And even today, van Dijk is Liverpool’s man in crisis. A wonderful debut, and a wonderful career in Red so far for Big Virg.
Sadio Mane
Jurgen Klopp’s first big-name signing. Sadio will forever be a Liverpool legend. But what started this legend was his stupendous debut match against Arsenal, playing out of position and scoring a brilliant goal. But later that season, he rose to the occasion against Everton.
With the scoreless tie entering its fourth minute of stoppage time, Daniel Sturridge’s attempt hit the pole and came back into play. Sadio Mane was quick to latch on to the ball and take it round the keeper to comfortably slot it into the net. And as the commentator on the day said, “Derby Day Delight For Liverpool”. It certainly was a reminder of the impact the Senegalese international would have going forward in his stint with the Reds.
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With Roberto Firmino in great form and Diogo Jota returning from an injury layoff, it will be interesting to see what line-up the gaffer chooses to go ahead with. But with that being said, if Darwin features against the Blues, he must keep his calm and play with a controlled state of mind or else life in the Premier League will be extremely difficult for the Uruguayan.
It is a high-octane game, and a derby day does not go without a card usually. Hopefully for Liverpool, the card isn’t red and certainly not for Nunez.
