New Premier Trip Awaits Reds

Football in the city of Liverpool is riding high. While the Reds remain on course for a memorable season, the blue half of the city also has cause to be optimistic. Despite an awful start to the season, Everton have enjoyed an upturn of form of late that will surely guarantee another season of top-flight football. And that of course means the Merseyside derby will remain an annual pair of fixtures. More thrilling games to look forward to, then.

But perhaps even more significantly for Everton and the future of football in the city, the Blues will soon move to their exciting new stadium on the north side of Liverpool. Bramley-Moore Dock, as the stadium will be called until naming rights are secured, will become the latest new stadium in the Premier League, and surely one of the best. Its capacity is yet to be exactly confirmed, but reports of 52,888 would place it as the seventh biggest stadium in England’s top flight, just ahead of Newcastle’s St James’ Park. The Reds will relish their first visit to the new home of their nearest rivals, and of course, it is a game that will attract the attention of the public at large. Top online casinos in the UK and elsewhere will surely be offering up odds on the big game long before it actually takes place. And all eyes will be on the fixture computer when the 2025/26 schedule is released at the end of June.

To celebrate what will be the first Merseyside derby at the home of Everton FC not to be played at Goodison Park in an incredible 133 years, we’ve decided to take a look at some of Liverpool’s visits to newish Premier League stadiums over the last few years.

Brentford Community Stadium, Brentford (2021)

The newest stadium in the Premier League, Liverpool first visited the Brentford Community Stadium in 2021 where goals from Diogo Jota, Mo Salah, and Curtis Jones put the Reds on course for victory before Yoane Wissa grabbed a late leveller for the hosts.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham (2019)

Bramley-Moore Dock is attracting similar fanfare to the home of Tottenham Hotspur, which is certainly one of the most eye-catching around. Opened in 2019, Liverpool’s first visit to the 62,000 capacity stadium came about in January 2020, only six months after the Reds had defeated the same team in the Champions League final. That first visit to Spurs’ new stadium also ended in victory, with a Roberto Firmino goal being enough to separate the two teams. Jurgen Klopp was, of course, the man in the Liverpool hot seat at the time.

London Stadium, West Ham United (2017)

The London Stadium, now home to West Ham United, was of course repurposed after the 2012 London Olympics. Liverpool’s first visit to the ground came about in May 2017, in which a resounding 4-0 win by the Reds was secured by goals from Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, and a brace from Philippe Coutinho. Klopp was once again the man in charge of the away team that day.

Falmer Stadium, Brighton (2011)

Only opened in 2011, Liverpool’s first visit to the home of Brighton and Hove Albion took place the very season the Seagulls moved into their new home at the start of the 2011/12 campaign. Brighton were in the Championship at the time, and this League Cup 3rd Round meeting saw the Premier League Reds run out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt. This came about during the legendary Kenny Dalglish’s second stint in charge. Liverpool have so far lost twice in eight subsequent visits to the south coast.

Emirates Stadium, Arsenal (2006)

The only defeat on this list came about on Liverpool’s first visit to Arsenal’s new home, Emirates Stadium, in November 2006, with a 3-0 reverse not necessarily a sign of things to come, as the home of the Gunners has often been a happy hunting ground for the Reds on subsequent visits.

City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City (2003)

2003 was the year City moved into a stadium that had originally been built to host the Commonwealth Games. Liverpool’s first visit was in a Premier League game later that year, and it was ex-Red’s legend Robbie Fowler who grabbed a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw after goals from Vladimir Smicer and Dietmar Hamann.