Liverpool left it late but sealed a dramatic 2-1 win in the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Virgil van Dijk the last-minute hero.
Everton 1-2 Liverpool
Premier League (33) | Hill Dickinson Stadium | April 19, 2026
Goals
Salah 29′ (Gakpo)
Beto 54′
Van Dijk 90+10′ (Szoboszlai)
Stats
Possession: 56%
Shots: 10-14
Big Chances: 3-2
xG: 0.80-1.45
Isak starts again as Salah returns
Arne Slot made four changes from midweek but surprisingly, with Hugo Ekitike now expected to miss the rest of 2026, Alexander Isak kept his place up front.
Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo and Salah all came in, with Jones taking up duties as an inverted right-back.
Salah defies Everton’s dominant start
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In a game many expected Everton to win, the Hill Dickinson Stadium produced a fierce atmosphere with Liverpool jeered throughout the opening stages.
That was met with a dominant start from the hosts, with Beto denied a headed opener in the fifth minute by a brilliant reflex stop from Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Referee Chris Kavanagh waved away a penalty shout from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after a shoulder barge from Jones, while at the other end Isak acted as a lightweight target as lone striker.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates with team-mates Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones (R) after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The game ignited just before the half-hour mark with Iliman Ndiaye seeing a goal ruled out for offside only for Gakpo to feed Salah two-and-a-half minutes later to give Liverpool an undeserved lead.
Everton‘s atmosphere faded and Liverpool ended the half on top, with Isak even crafting a chance only to fire his shot straight at Jordan Pickford.
Half-time: Everton 0-1 Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Everton's Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool drop off again – and another injury
There was a renewed urgency from Everton after the break and a wasted long ball from Mamardashvili allowed them to build the chance for their equaliser, with Dewsbury-Hall eventually playing it across for Beto to slide in for 1-1.
Mamardashvili was injured in the process and with Alisson already out, it meant a Premier League debut for third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
Too often Liverpool were caught holding onto the ball for too long, with Jones and Florian Wirtz particularly culpable as the Reds struggled to build up in attack due to their lack of intensity.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk kisses the badge as he celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones (L) after scoring his side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Isak was brought off with just under 20 minutes left to play having had nine touches, one shot, three completed passes and only one of his seven duels won, with Rio Ngumoha entering the fray.
Liverpool rallied late on and ultimately sealed the winner from a set-piece, with Virgil van Dijk towering above a throng to head in from Dominik Szoboszlai‘s corner. A heroic moment.
TIA Man of the Match: Mo Salah
Everton 1-2 Liverpool: Match Facts
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gana, Garner; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto
Subs: Travers, Patterson, Keane, Dibling, Alcaraz, Rohl, Iroegbunam, Barry, George
Liverpool: Mamardashvili (Woodman 58′); Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson (Kerkez 86′); Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz (Mac Allister 84′), Gakpo (Frimpong 84′); Isak (Ngumoha 73′)
Subs not used: Pecsi, Nyoni, Chiesa
Next match: Crystal Palace – Premier League – Saturday, April 25, 3pm (BST)