Liverpool claimed a dramatic Merseyside derby victory as Virgil van Dijk struck in the 100th minute to seal a 2-1 win over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In a tense and chaotic finish to the first Premier League derby at the new venue, Van Dijk rose highest to meet Dominik Szoboszlai’s late corner, guiding the ball home to break Everton hearts in stoppage time.
The match had swung back and forth throughout, with Mohamed Salah once again proving decisive against Everton. The Egyptian forward put Liverpool ahead in the first half after combining with Cody Gakpo, finishing calmly from close range despite Everton having been the stronger side early on.
Everton had already been denied a breakthrough when Iliman Ndiaye thought he had given the hosts the lead in the 27th minute. The stadium erupted, but VAR intervened, ruling Jake O’Brien offside in the build-up and disallowing the goal.
That reprieve proved costly. Just two minutes later, Liverpool capitalised on a defensive lapse, with Gakpo releasing Salah, who finished clinically to register his ninth Merseyside derby goal—more than any other player in the Premier League era.
Everton, however, refused to fold. David Moyes’ side grew into the game and eventually found their equaliser through Beto, who reacted quickest to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s dangerous ball across the box and finished from close range to bring the hosts level.
The match took another twist when Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili went down injured shortly after the equaliser. With Alisson Becker already unavailable, Liverpool were forced into a change, bringing on Freddie Woodman for his first Premier League appearance since 2021.
Everton sensed opportunity as the game opened up. Ndiaye continued to threaten, while James Garner and Beto both tested Liverpool’s defence and forced key interventions from the visitors’ back line.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Everton believed they had done enough to earn a point. But Liverpool kept pushing. Arne Slot’s side threw numbers forward, and their persistence paid off in the most dramatic fashion.
In the 10th minute of 11 added on, Szoboszlai delivered a precise corner into a crowded box, where Van Dijk powered a header goalward. The ball deflected off bodies before finding the net, sending the away supporters into celebration and silencing the home crowd.
The goal was another example of Liverpool’s late-match resilience in derby history. In fact, the Reds have now scored six 90th-minute winners against Everton in the Premier League era—the most by any side against a single opponent.
The result strengthens Liverpool’s position in the race for Champions League qualification. They now sit seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with only a handful of games remaining, giving Arne Slot’s side a strong advantage heading into the final stretch of the season.
For Everton, it was a painful ending to a spirited performance. Despite moments of control and a strong response after going behind, defensive lapses and missed late chances proved costly in a match that had seemed destined for a draw.
Liverpool will next host Crystal Palace, while Everton travel to West Ham as both sides continue their Premier League campaigns.
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