Captain Vigil van Dijk scored the winner ten minutes into injury time to lead Liverpool to a 2-1 win over rivals Everton in the EPL Merseyside derby.
The first Merseyside derby between both cross-town rivals in the Toffees’ new Hill Dickinson Stadium ended on a dramatic note with Liverpool coming out tops with all three points to strengthen their bid for a UCL position in the EPL final table, and dented Everton’s push for a European position.
Beto had cancelled Mohamed Salah’s opener before van Dijk broke the hearts of over 50,000 Everton fans in their stadium.
Salah, leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, scored his ninth and final derby goal against Everton to put the visitors ahead on 29 minutes when he swept home Cody Gakpo’s pass, equaling Steven Gerrard’s tally for most Merseyside derby goals in the EPL era.
David Moyes’ side got back in the match when Beto, under pressure from both Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, bundled home Kevin Dewsbury-Hall’s cross for 1-1.
Eleven minutes of additional time was added after regulation time following treatment and eventual substitution of Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili due to a collision, and it was the Anfield side that took bragging rights when van Dijk rose highest to head home Alexis MacAllister’s corner kick for his fourth league goal of the season, and sixth in all competitions.
Liverpool have gone four EPL Merseyside derbies without defeat, winning the last three meetings, and they do the double over Everton for the first time since the 2021/22 season. Arne Slot’s side remains in fifth place with 55 points from 33 matches, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea in the race for a top-five finish. Everton are however 10th but one point off sixth place.
