“The Fans Voted the Wrong Person Again” – Virgil van Dijk Returns MOTM Award to Teammate After Derby Masterclass**
**HILL DICKINSON STADIUM** — In a stunning display of leadership and sportsmanship following Liverpool’s dramatic **2-1 victory** over Everton today, Reds captain **Virgil van Dijk** has publicly returned his official **Man of the Match** award.
Despite scoring a thunderous **100th-minute header** to seal the Merseyside derby in the dying seconds, the Dutch defender insisted that the accolade belonged to a different teammate. Van Dijk’s winner was assisted by a pinpoint **Dominik Szoboszlai** corner, but the captain’s eyes were on the man who kept Liverpool in the game throughout a chaotic afternoon: **Giorgi Mamardashvili**.
### **”He Was 10/10″**
Speaking to the press while handing over the trophy, Van Dijk was candid about the fan-voted result:
> “I have officially returned the Man of the Match award to him. Though I delivered a masterclass assist—well, the winning goal—he’s the one that truly deserves it. I think the fans voted the wrong person again. When you look at the saves he made in the first half, especially the one-on-one against Beto, it was a 10/10 performance.”
>
### **A Derby for the History Books**
The match, the first-ever derby hosted at Everton’s brand-new **Hill Dickinson Stadium**, was an emotional rollercoaster. **Mamardashvili** was a wall for the Reds, keeping out a barrage of early Everton chances before unfortunately being forced off late due to a collision. His replacement, **Freddie Woodman**, held the line long enough for the late-game heroics.
Van Dijk’s gesture highlights the internal culture at Liverpool under **Arne Slot**, where the “collective over the individual” remains the mantra. While Van Dijk will grab the headlines for his last-gasp winner, his refusal to accept the individual trophy speaks volumes about his respect for the Georgian goalkeeper’s contributions.
### **The Stats That Mattered**
* **Virgil van Dijk:** 1 Goal, 92% Passing Accuracy, 5 Aerial Duels Won.
* **Giorgi Mamardashvili:** 6 Crucial Saves, 100% Claim Success, Clean Sheet until his injury.
* **Dominik Szoboszlai:** 1 Assist (The decisive 100th-minute corner).
The victory moves Liverpool **seven points clear** in the battle for the top five, easing the pressure on Slot and securing a third consecutive victory against their local rivals.
**What’s Next?** Liverpool will look to carry this momentum into their Champions League quarter-final second leg, while Everton must regroup quickly as they remain just one point clear of the European qualification spots.
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