Key Takeaways
- Virgil van Dijk headed Liverpool’s winner in the 10th added minute to seal a 2-1 victory.
- Mohamed Salah opened the scoring, matching Steven Gerrard’s nine Merseyside derby goals.
- Everton have still not beaten Liverpool in the league since 2010; David Moyes’ record against the Reds is now four wins in 41 attempts.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk rose highest in the 100th minute to crash home a corner and snatch a dramatic 2-1 win over Everton in the first derby staged at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The match looked set to end in a draw until Dominik Szoboszlai’s outswinging corner found the Dutch defender, who powered his header past Jordan Pickford and sparked wild celebrations among the travelling Kop.
Everton had started brightly. Beto twice wasted clear chances, first dragging wide when clean through and then firing an air-shot after racing onto Jarrad Branthwaite’s long ball. The hosts thought they had taken the lead on 26 minutes when Iliman Ndiaye swept home Jake O’Brien’s cross, but the flag cut short the cheers.
Three minutes later Liverpool struck. Cody Gakpo, preferred to Rio Ngumoha, threaded a perfect pass between two blue shirts and Mohamed Salah raced clear to slide his ninth derby goal under Pickford.
Everton regrouped at the break and levelled on 56 minutes. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s left-wing cross evaded everyone except Beto, who crashed in at the far post and collided heavily with keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The Georgian was stretchered off with a knee injury and replaced by third-choice Freddie Woodman.
Both sides lost players to injury: Beto (head) and Branthwaite (hamstring) departed, leaving Everton short in defence. Liverpool pressed, Szoboszlai forced a corner, and Van Dijk delivered the late knockout blow.
The result keeps Arne Slot’s men firmly in the hunt for Champions League football, while Everton are left to rue another derby heartbreak and a lengthening injury list.