Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall says scoring against Liverpool would ‘Trump’ meeting US President

Scoring the successful objective for Everton against Liverpool would be extra memorable for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall than when he met US President Donald Trump

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall admits scoring the successful objective for Everton against Liverpool within the first Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium would ‘Trump’ him meeting essentially the most highly effective human being on the planet.

Before making his £25million switch from Chelsea to Everton final August, considered one of Dewsbury-Hall’s last acts with the Londoners was to assist them raise the FIFA Club World Cup as they defeated Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the venue the place David Moyes’ males would kick-off their Premier League Summer Series later that month, and which will even host this yr’s World Cup last.

The visitor of honour for the post-match presentation was US President Donald Trump. Recalling the ceremony, Dewsbury-Hall mentioned: “The only time I spoke to him was when he gave me the medal.

“It was very straightforward, he said to me something like: ‘Oh congratulations. This is an amazing achievement.’

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“I was like: ‘Oh, thank you. I appreciate it.’ Apart from that, there was nothing.

“Others might have had longer conversations, those who were closer to him. I think the plan was for him to give the trophy to us and then leave but one of the other lads said he just wanted to stay and enjoy it.

“It ended up being an iconic moment, it was definitely surreal. Whatever anyone thinks, he’s still the President of America and the fact we are lifting a trophy next to him on stage was quite weird.”

While that second will at all times be etched within the 27-year-old’s thoughts, what concerning the prospect of a derby winner? Dewsbury-Hall is unequivocal in his response.

He mentioned: “Ha! That will jump it easily.”

Although he grew up within the East Midlands and joined Leicester City’s academy as an eight-year-old, Dewsbury-Hall has at all times appreciated the magnitude of when Everton face Liverpool. He mentioned: “I grew up watching the Merseyside Derby. I can say it’s one of the best in world football and I feel almost privileged that I am going to be involved in it.

“I knew the importance of the games before I came here but, being around the place, I know more. Look, I’m not from within the city but I know the passion is different. I’m not a Scouser, I wasn’t born and raised here. But I’m a scholar of football.

“I watch every single football match. I love it. I’m trying to get immersed in it here, I’m trying to understand the importance of everything.

“If you do something in a big game like this, it will give you a little gold star next to your name, won’t it? That’s enough motivation for me.”

Given Dewsbury-Hall’s enthusiasm for the sport, he’s perplexed by a few of his fellow professionals who declare to have little urge for food for watching soccer matches they’re not concerned in. He mentioned: “I can’t understand that, I genuinely don’t get it.

“If you were to ask my missus, she would tell you that she doesn’t see me. I just take myself off into the living room and I will watch any football match.

“That’s always been me. I just live and breathe the game, simple as that.

“She’ll put something on Netflix, the odd time, to make me try to watch it and I’ll be like: ‘Nah, I’m just going in the other room!’

“It’s my life. Anything I have ever done has been for this and it always will be.”

So, as such an avid viewer of video games, which Merseyside Derby moments of the previous stand out for him? Dewsbury-Hall mentioned: “Well, the Phil Jagielka goal into the Kop in 2014, that will always stick in my mind.

“I remember the one Everton won at Anfield during Covid. There are loads.

“I know it’s not good to say this but I remember Curtis Jones scoring a worldie in the FA Cup. You remember them because it’s a derby and you focus that bit more on them.

“I’m a football fan and if you’re like that, you’re like: ‘Okay, the Merseyside Derby is on!’ (at this point he rubs his hands together). Imagine how I am feeling now, knowing I’m going to play in it?”

One objective that the midfielder can not neglect got here on the finish of Everton’s final dwelling derby. James Tarkowski’s thunderous 98th-minute volley with what was the final kick of the match from a Blues participant, ensured that after 120 matches over 130 years, Liverpool didn’t end with a successful report at Goodison Park.

Dewsbury-Hall mentioned: “Tarky’s not shut up about it. I remember watching it live.

“I was just at home, and it was some atmosphere. When that went in, it was unbelievable.

“It is one of the most iconic goals of recent history at Everton. Tarky has mentioned it a fair few times – and rightly so.

“You know the technique is unbelievable, although I have not seen him do it much since. I have to give him credit there it was absolutely on the money.

“It just shows the importance of it. And if you score big goals in big games, it gives you a slice of history.”

In phrases of getting himself on the scoresheet, Dewsbury-Hall will fancy his possibilities. Although he netted a dozen occasions for Leicester as they received promotion by topping the Championship in 2023/24, having struck the stoppage-time equaliser at Brentford final day out, his seven targets to this point for Everton this time period is by far his greatest high flight tally.

He mentioned: “That year I got 12 for Leicester was my best goalscoring season, but people always say: ‘Ah, but that was in the Championship.’

“I agree, there is a big difference in the level between the two leagues, as a player it just is. So, I’m happy that I’m showing I can do it at the highest level.

“I always believed that I knew I could. Now it’s actually showing that to people.

“They could always say: ‘You’ve not done it, you’ve not done it.’ I knew it would come because I’m improving yearly on how I’m getting into the right positions and how I’m finishing chances.

“So, this to me isn’t like a shock season, in the most humble way, because I’ve put in the hours to improve it. I’m hoping that I can get a couple more.

“Like I said, I had targets in my mind at the start of the season, so hopefully I can achieve them. Then next season again, it’s not one of those where I want to have a good goalscoring season then just drop off, it’s about building and building.”

Dewsbury-Hall additionally possesses that tenaciousness even throughout the identical match. At the Gtech Community Stadium, he has missed a chance that Jordan Pickford felt he ought to have scored from – and supplied the goalkeeper with an help – earlier than registering within the last seconds.

He mentioned: “Jordan told me in the game. If I hadn’t scored, it would have haunted me missing that chance.

“I know you can’t score every chance, but I’m the sort of player who feels because I might not get five or six a game, when I get it, I need to take it.

“At that time in the game, I probably should have and I back myself to. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, so I’m proud that I stuck at it, knowing one might drop for me again and I took it.

“That’s what I mean about the resilience and mentality where things aren’t always going to go your way but as long as you stick with it, you’ll be able to get through.”

Dewsbury-Hall additionally had a giant probability in entrance of the Kop within the final Merseyside Derby when Everton misplaced 2-1 to Liverpool on September 20. Asked if he needs to place that proper, he mentioned: “One hundred percent. I’m going into a lot of games, thinking I can score.

“That’s just the feeling that I have. I said it multiple times to people this season that I feel I’m going to score.

“It’s a good place to be as a player when you know that you back yourself when you get into positions. I’ve scored some decent goals this year so I know I can score an array of goals, it’s not just tap-ins.

“If I get a chance at the weekend, I’m confident I’m going to take it so hopefully it comes.”