Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, headed home a corner deep into stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 victory for Liverpool in the first Merseyside derby at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, breaking the hearts of over 50,000 home fans.
The win strengthens Liverpool’s push for a Champions League spot and deals a blow to Everton’s hopes of European qualification.
Mohamed Salah, who is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a composed finish from Cody Gakpo’s pass. It was his ninth and final derby goal against Everton, equalling Steven Gerrard’s record for most Merseyside derby goals in the Premier League era.
Everton fought back when Beto bundled home Kevin Dewsbury-Hall’s cross under pressure from Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté to make it 1-1.
Eleven minutes of added time were signalled after Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili required treatment and was substituted following a collision. In the 100th minute, Van Dijk rose highest to power home Alexis Mac Allister’s corner for his fourth league goal of the season (sixth in all competitions), sparking wild celebrations among the away contingent.
Liverpool have now gone four Premier League Merseyside derbies without defeat, winning the last three, and have completed their first league double over Everton since the 2021/22 season. Arne Slot’s side remain fifth with 55 points from 33 matches, seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea in the race for a top-five finish. Everton sit 10th, just one point adrift of sixth place.