Perched on the banks of the River Mersey, Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium stands as a stunning testament to the city’s rich maritime history. Located in the historic docks area, this arena is now a vibrant part of Liverpool’s landscape.

Just a short distance away, the iconic hexagonal clock of Victoria Tower—a timekeeper for trans-Atlantic travelers of the past—still stands proudly by the water. Although it awaits restoration, it remains a significant sight for those arriving in the city.

As visitors approach via ships and ferries up the Mersey estuary, they are greeted by an impressive view. While the red cranes at Seaforth are notable, it is the 52,769-seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock that truly captures attention, emerging as a modern emblem of Liverpool.

Despite the team’s struggles on home turf, the stadium’s design was meticulously crafted to create an intimidating atmosphere. The steep South Stand, designated as the home end, is constructed at a sharp 34.99-degree angle, just shy of the legal maximum, ensuring fans are close to the action.

This design ensures that the crowd’s energy remains intense and doesn’t dissipate into the sky, unlike some of the generic bowl stadiums. The support was evident last Monday night, and it would resonate even more if Everton could secure victories.

Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton’s new home on the banks of the River Mersey, is a spectacular arena built in the old docks area that puts it right at the heart of the city’s seafaring heritage

There is little to quibble about as far as the move to the new stadium goes, except this: Everton are finding it rather hard to win in it

Everton’s challenges in their new stadium are not uncommon. In the Premier League’s 33-year history, of the seven teams that have transitioned to new venues, six have experienced a dip in home performance during their inaugural season in the new environment.

The only team that performed better after their move was Derby County when they moved from the Baseball Ground to Pride Park in 1997-98, rising from 12th to ninth with nine more points.

The rest – Southampton, Manchester City, Arsenal, West Ham, Tottenham and Everton – all dropped off. And all have endured troubled times since they moved from stadiums that had been their home for generations.

Finance is obviously one reason for that. Arsene Wenger was lambasted and mocked and vilified by Arsenal fans in the latter years of his reign at the Emirates Stadium but the truth is that he was managing the club with one hand behind his back.

He was the architect of the move away from Highbury. Arsenal’s achievements under him allowed it to happen but paying for the move meant the club could not compete with Manchester United and Chelsea, and later Manchester City, in the transfer market.

Arsenal won the title four times in their last 15 years at Highbury. They have not won it once in the 20 years since they moved to the Emirates. That is the longest gap between top flight titles in the club’s long and glorious history.

Spurs are not faring any better. In fact, they are faring worse. Arsenal’s home record looks positively invincible compared to Spurs’ equivalent since they moved into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April 2019.

Spurs’ new home is widely recognised as one of the best new-build stadiums in the world but they have lost nearly as many Premier League games there in seven years (46) as Arsenal have at the Emirates in 20 years (49).

Arsene Wenger was the architect of Arsenal’s move from Highbury, and their achievements under him allowed it to happen – but it cost him the chance to compete in the transfer market

Spurs’ new home is one of the best new stadiums in the world but they have lost nearly as many league games there in seven years (46) as Arsenal have at the Emirates in 20 years (49)

Part of the new-ground-blues may be related to the drain on the club’s resources as they pay for it but part of it is about something that is harder to measure. West Ham have struggled desperately since their move away from Upton Park to the London Stadium, which is deeply unpopular with their supporters.

There is a soullessness about the London Stadium that is the antithesis of Upton Park. One ground was rooted in its community – although that community was changing by the time it left – and the other is in the middle of a wasteland in Stratford.

The seething resentment felt by the fans at the abandonment of their history, the disdain they feel for owners who forced the move and the unsuitability of the London Stadium for hosting football are all contributing factors to the club being locked in a desperate battle to avoid relegation this season.

It also has to be accepted – this applies to Spurs and to Everton – that sometimes, the beauty of a new stadium can inspire a visiting team more than the home side. Some of the intimidation factor associated with an old ground disappears.

I asked Everton boss David Moyes about that issue after the defeat by United last week had left his club in 14th place in a Premier League table for home results. They have only recorded four wins from their 14 home league games, compared to seven in 14 on the road, where they are the top flight’s third-best team.

Moyes pointed out wryly that Everton’s form at Goodison Park was not exactly sparkling but he did acknowledge an issue with the transfer to Hill Dickinson Stadium. The pitch at their new home is significantly bigger, too. It all makes a difference.

‘There is probably a change,’ he said. ‘Other teams come here and enjoy it, for one thing. You think of Goodison – narrow tunnel, the players can touch you. It feels a bigger space than Goodison.

‘Tonight, we lost a goal when we were a bit wide open. There are things about it which are different and we have to get used to. Our games are better than at Goodison but our team is better. It isn’t as though we were winning every game at Goodison.’

There is a soullessness about West Ham United’s London Stadium that is the antithesis of Upton Park

The closest Everton have come to a landmark moment at Hill Dickinson Stadium was Jack Grealish’s stoppage-time winner to seal a comeback win over Crystal Palace in October

The problem for many clubs is that history takes time. Both Everton and Spurs are still searching for a signature moment that can be a landmark in the evolution of their new stadiums as homes.

The closest Everton have had to that at Hill Dickinson Stadium so far was when Jack Grealish scored a stoppage-time winner to seal a comeback victory over Crystal Palace at the beginning of October.

It was a magic moment but it was against Palace. A late winner against Liverpool? That would be different. The marriage between a club and its new ground is about a team building a sense of identity.

Some clubs never achieve it – West Ham are heading down that road – but Everton, in particular, have everything in place. They just need a few of those signature moments to turn things around. A win in the Merseyside derby next month would be a start.