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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Andrew Dowdeswell

Everton fans will love Richarlison's goal message to Kevin Campbell after Liverpool win

Richarlison honoured Everton legend Kevin Campbell after he scored the opening goal in Everton's Merseyside Derby win over Liverpool on Saturday evening.

Richarlison, starting up-front in place of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, flourished in an unfamiliar role, hustling and bustling against Liverpool's uncomfortable centre-backs.

He provided a brilliant piece of play to release Calvert-Lewin for the penalty in the second half, relentlessly ran the channels, held up play and won fouls, and, of course, scored the crucial opening goal.

The goal itself was a wonderful combination between Richarlison and James Rodriguez and set Everton on their way for their first win at Anfield since 1999.

Rodriguez picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch. Immediately sensing the chance to hare in behind, Richarlison peeled off the Liverpool defence. Rodriguez fed him with a typically perfectly weighted pass and the Brazilian duly tucked away the finish in the bottom corner.

Afterwards, Campbell welcome Richarlison to the goalscorers club. On Twitter, he shared a photo of his and Richarlison's respective strikes, which look remarkably similar, with the caption, "Welcome to the Exclusive Club @richarlison97."

Richarlison then replied to Campbell's tweet, saying: "It's an honour to me Mr Campbell!"

Campbell then responded once more, adding what many Everton fans think of the forward at present.

"I appreciate your kind words and the goals and effort you put in! Thank you so much young man."

Carlo Ancelotti expressed his happiness at the 'special' day for Everton following the win over Liverpool, but also ensured that the focus is on playing European football next season, not just winning the Merseyside Derby.

"Our target is not to beat Liverpool - our target is to play in Europe next season. This is the achievement," he said. "I can understand the happiness - we are really happy. They [Everton fans] deserve to be happy after 21 years.

"It's special. I think that to be focused in a derby is not so complicated - the players were really focused. Now the next step is to be focused, like we were tonight, in the next game. That will be more complicated.

"We are wrong if we think we have achieved something. I think it's a good moment for us, but only three points."

Ancelotti did, however, encourage fans to enjoy a rare Merseyside Derby win.

"Celebrate tonight with a good glass of wine and passion for Everton," he told fans afterwards.

And Campbell will have been among them basking in Everton's first Anfield win in more than 20 years.

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