Mixed emotions as the city experienced a truly unique Merseyside Derby

Blues will always feel a strong emotional attachment to Goodison Park, as it holds so many incredible memories for hundreds of thousands of people, spanning multiple generations. Saying goodbye was always going to be difficult, while accepting the Hill Dickinson Stadium as 'home' is an ongoing process.

It is the seventh different venue for the derby, after the first was played at Goodison Park in 1894. Since then, the two clubs have played each other at Anfield, Villa Park, Maine Road, Old Trafford and Wembley. Notably, those last four venues were all cup games.

Although we're nearing the end of the 2025/26 league season, and because it's a derby-day at a new location, today's match would have meant a new routine for many, characterised by a sense of some unfamiliarity, but also one of excitement and anticipation.

To gain a sense of how Evertonians were feeling about the first ever derby at Bramley Moore Dock, we headed out into the city and spoke to fans ahead of kick-off.

Several pubs had opened early in the city centre, including The Denbigh Castle, a place where Evertonians can be sure of a warm welcome.

We meet Craig, Bob and Jason who are settling their nerves at a table near the entrance, and discussing what bets to put on, Craig tells us: "I've been to two derby games before this, and considering our record against Liverpool, we won both of them so I'm feeling hopeful.

"Because of all my memories tied to Goodison Park, I get emotional walking to the new ground. Although I know it's our new home, I also know she's there in the background (Goodison Park), so I feel a bit guilty.

"I've been to some unbelievable games at Goodison, the atmosphere, under the lights on those night games, very very special.

"But I think they've done a really good job with this stadium, and with more and more games, especially the one against Chelsea, it's starting to feel more and more like home."

Two friends are sitting opposite, both named Chris, who are also enjoying the festivities early on. One Chris is fully confident of an Everton victory, while the other Chris is a little more cautious.

Nonetheless, they both agree on one thing, and that's fully embracing the new stadium and the sense of optimism around the club, Chris said: "This is our new home now, and it's what the club needed.

"It's modern day football, so if that's what you need to progress then I'm all for it. If you look at it, it's the best stadium in the country, it's got loads of character as well."

We leave the Denbigh just after 10am and head straight to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where thousands of fans have already gathered, basking in the sunshine and eager to soak up the atmosphere.

Besides the thoughts and anxieties around the potential result, there was also a sense of mixed emotions in the fans we spoke to. People such as Jamie O’Connor who is bringing his son to his first derby at Bramley Moore Dock, and it’s a new experience for both of them.

It’s a proud day for Jamie who has many memories of supporting Everton, from when his grandad used to bring him to Goodison Park as a kid, so he’s really pleased he can now bring his own lad to the game.

Referring to his son, Jamie said: "The one thing I hope for is that his early years are filled with more joy and success for the club than when I was coming up.

"It's great for him to see the club doing well and also to come here where he'll be supporting them for many years to come, and making his own memories."

These sentiments were also shared by Everton fans Derek and and his son 14-year-old son. Derek said there’s some way to go before the Hill Dickinson replicates the atmosphere at Goodison, but added they had enjoyed the build up, both now covered in blue residue from the many flares going off to greet the team bus.

We also meet Everton season-ticket holders Carl McCormack and his two sons, who have been very impressed with how their new home ground has turned out. Carl said it’s 'special days like this' which will make it more and more connected to the fans.

Carl's last point sums up much of what we were told by Everton fans, in that the new stadium will create its own lore, its own legends, and give birth to its own legends - all of which will be built around what happens on the pitch, highlighting the importance of results like the one achieved at home to Chelsea.

There was a very real sense of this in the build-up to this game, as Everton fans gathered in their thousands to welcome the team bus. On a visual level, it called to mind the scenes from 2022 outside Goodison when fans rallied to help save the team from relegation.

Fast-forward fours years, and that same passion was clearly on display as the team bus arrived, but this time it was founded on a renewed confidence and surety in the club's progress. No longer repelling the spectre of falling out of the top flight, Everton are now focused on the top half of the table, and are well-positioned for a crack at European football next season.

As Everton's team bus travelled through the gates off Regent Road, the fans were in full voice, blue fares going off everywhere, accompanied by a sea of blue shirts, all cheering the team in.

The fans then started making their way toward the stadium, joined by those enjoying a few drinks in the many new bars which have opened up around the north docks, and fans decked in newly bought merchandise from the street vendors and merchandise shops - all adding to an authentic and friendly atmosphere.

We spotted a few Liverpool fans in the crowds as well, who were equally impressed by the stadium, many of them looking forward to seeing inside the Hill Dickinson for the first time.

Families like Anne-Marie Dimant and her daughter Janie Carberry, who had brought her son Caleb. Anne-Marie and Janie live locally so are all too aware of the spectacular new addition to Liverpool skyline, and said they both have a soft spot for Everton, 'we have purple hearts’.

Then there was Andrew Lawson who we meet heading towards the away end. Known as just 'Lawson' to his friends, he concedes Everton have created something special down here at Bramley Moore, but like so many other football fans today, is only interested in the game, and the result.

As it turned out, Liverpool came away with the win, thanks to a stoppage time winner from Virgil Van Dijk, which would have gone some way to dampening the mood around the blue half of the city.

But as the thousands of fans made their way along Regent Road, towards the city centre, it was difficult not reflect on the bigger picture of today, and to keep in mind the cautious optimism expressed before kick-off.

Everton are no longer a struggling football team, they are no longer a club awaiting a new future, they are bona fide Premier League force, with an incredible new stadium, and big plans for the next few years.

Despite a last-minute defeat, this game will add another chapter to the lore of the Hill Dickinson Stadium, because history and heritage is made up of both the highs and the lows.