Liverpool edge Everton in historic Merseyside derby

Virgil van Dijk scored a dramatic 100th-minute winner as Liverpool claimed victory in the first Premier League Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Beto had earlier cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s opener for Everton before Van Dijk rose to meet Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner deep into added time to seal the win.

Just two minutes after Everton had Iliman Ndiaye’s effort ruled out for offside, Salah latched onto Cody Gakpo’s pass to give Arne Slot’s side a first-half lead against the run of play.

David Moyes’ men responded through Beto, who converted Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross, before Van Dijk delivered the decisive moment in the 248th instalment of this historic rivalry.

The result leaves Liverpool seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea and firmly on course to secure Champions League qualification next season.

Everton had started brightly, with Giorgi Mamardashvili producing key saves to deny Beto and James Garner. The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the 27th minute when Ndiaye found the net, but VAR ruled that Jake O’Brien was offside in the build-up.

Moments later, Everton were punished as Dwight McNeil lost possession in his own half, allowing Gakpo to combine with Salah, who netted his ninth Merseyside derby goal — the most by any player in the Premier League era.

Liverpool’s defensive lapse handed Everton a route back into the contest, with Beto finishing Dewsbury-Hall’s delivery across goal.

Further concern followed for the visitors as Mamardashvili was forced off injured. With Alisson Becker unavailable, Freddie Woodman came on for his first Premier League appearance since 2021, when he featured for Newcastle United.

Woodman was called into action by Ndiaye as both sides pushed for a winner, while Liverpool substitute Rio Ngumoha fired over in stoppage time.