Club captain Seamus Coleman dedicated the Blues’ 2-0 Merseyside derby triumph “to every Evertonian” as he described the “amazing” feeling of beating Liverpool at their Anfield home.

Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson earned the Toffees a deserved victory over their city rivals on Saturday evening.

The result draws Everton level on points with Liverpool in the Premier League table – the Blues also have a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Coleman’s performance embodied a collective Everton display full of spirit, resilience and quality. 

The Everton skipper shared joyous embraces with manager Carlo Ancelotti and assistant boss Duncan Ferguson at the final whistle – and outlined his emotions following a memorable victory.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. 

“Coming here [to Anfield] over the years, we felt we were letting ourselves down but, more importantly, letting the blue side of the city down. 

“It’s been hard. You can put a face on it and try to brush it off, but I’ve been in the city for 10 years and you feel sorry for the fans. 

“I thank the manager for the way he set us up tonight, and the players put in an unbelievable shift – and that was against the champions, so we’re delighted.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking up at the clock a few times when it was 1-0. I thought Jordan [Pickford] was great but at the same time I did feel comfortable in the match. 

“We’ll enjoy this – and this win is for all the Evertonians.”

Everton got off to a dream start at Anfield when Richarlison clinically slotted past Allison after being played in by James Rodriguez’s precision through pass.

Coleman almost doubled the Blues’ lead midway through the first half but saw his diving header well saved by the Liverpool keeper.

Everton had to weather some pressure in the early stages of the second half and Pickford made a fine stop from Salah’s close-range effort.

Everton held firm – with Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey outstanding in defence – and Carlo Ancelotti’s side made the victory safe when Sigurdsson nervelessly rolled the ball home from the penalty spot after fellow substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin was felled in the area.

Coleman provided an insight into boss Ancelotti’s strategy for the game – and outlined the importance of Everton building from this success.

“For me, personally, I had to follow Andy Robertson,” he explained.

“I think the last time I did that it was against Ashley Cole at Stamford Bridge. He [Robertson] is a great player and I just tried to stay with him as much as I could. 

“As a team, it was just to compete and try to break the press when we could.

“But, listen, when you’re holding a lead it is difficult to be brave and try to play out from the back. We probably didn’t play as much as we would have liked. 

“But we got the result. Dominic came on and made a difference.

“Now we need to move on from this. We can’t just celebrate this, we need to start moving the football club forward now. 

“That goes back to the likes of [games against] Fulham and West Ham at home – that’s where we need to start being better all-round.”

On almost scoring at the Kop end in the first half, Coleman added: “I just wanted to get contact on the ball [with my header].

“I think Allison made a great save – maybe it was a bad miss. It was a great ball from Lucas [Digne] and I thought maybe that was going to be a goal. 

“It wasn’t to be but, a 2-0 win, I’m happy with that!”