Liverpool saw off local rivals Everton in a 2-1 victory in the first ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Virgil van Dijk scoring deep into stoppage time
16:17, 19 Apr 2026Updated 16:19, 19 Apr 2026
Everton v Liverpool - Premier League
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Mohamed Salah shone in his final Merseyside derby(Image: Getty)
Liverpool struck Everton with a 101st-minute winner in the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The skipper settled the contest deep into added time after Mohamed Salah had previously matched Steven Gerrard's club record for the most Premier League strikes netted against Everton with his ninth.
Salah fired the Reds ahead against the flow of play just two minutes after Iliman Ndiaye saw a goal chalked off for offside. Salah slotted past Jordan Pickford following Cody Gakpo's sublime pass that released him through on goal.
However, Beto restored parity for Everton nine minutes into the second half after converting from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's inviting delivery. Despite being shaken by an injury to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Everton couldn't genuinely threaten Liverpool's replacement keeper Freddie Woodman and Van Dijk headed home deep into stoppage time from a corner kick.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
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Virgil van Dijk scored Liverpool's last gasp winner(Image: Gareth Copley, Getty Images)
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The triumph represents a crucial result for Liverpool's aspirations of securing next season's Champions League qualification. Daily Star Sport rates and slates the Reds...
Giorgi Mamardashvili - 7
Outstanding early stop to thwart Beto and improved with his distribution compared to midweek but was carried off injured before the hour mark in another crushing setback for Liverpool.
Curtis Jones - 7
Too easily permitted James Garner to deliver a cross for Beto's early opportunity but showed improvement defensively thereafter. Vital intervention to deny Beto a one-on-one situation in the first half and an excellent long pass nearly teed up Gakpo to make it 2-0. A reliable display while operating outside his preferred role.
Ibrahima Konate - 5
Let Beto slip in behind him for one first-half opening but managed well to catch Jake O'Brien offside before the ruled-out Iliman Ndiaye strike. Was nevertheless exposed by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's movement and delivery for the leveller. Some questionable defending nearly gifted Everton an opportunity before he regrouped to deny Dewsbury-Hall inside the penalty area.
Virgil van Dijk - 8
Netted Liverpool's dramatic late winner after finding himself in the ideal position. Commanding in aerial duels and adopted a straightforward approach to his defensive duties. Not as troubled by Beto as he had been in this identical fixture last season, at Goodison Park, and bore no responsibility for the Everton forward's equaliser.
Andy Robertson - 6
Battled effectively in his final Merseyside derby and delivered some superb diagonal passes. But proved too vulnerable against Beto for the equaliser and accidentally clattered into his own keeper. Fired a second-half effort wide of the target.
Ryan Gravenberch - 6
An inconsistent display both with and without the ball. Was remarkably lucky to avoid a booking in the opening period and guilty of questionable choices in possession, particularly after the interval.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 7
Grafted diligently, as always, and remained defensively reliable but perhaps wasn't as commanding as he would have preferred in the attacking areas. That changed when he struck a deflected effort wide in the dying moments, leading to the corner from which Van Dijk netted the decisive goal. It was his cross that created the Dutchman's match-winner.
Mohamed Salah - 8
Excellent in his final derby appearance. Appeared razor-sharp and performed with something to prove after being benched for both PSG encounters. Utterly ruthless finish to give Liverpool the opener before battling tirelessly without possession. A superb delivery for Gakpo's header that was hacked clear from the goalline.
Florian Wirtz - 4
Genuinely careless in possession during the opening half-hour but improved gradually. A perfectly-weighted ball to Gakpo created an opening shortly after Everton's chalked-off strike and picked out Isak before his effort was thwarted. However, still only delivered class in fleeting moments and seemed strangely reluctant to pull the trigger at times.
Cody Gakpo - 8
Energetic down the left flank after getting the nod over Rio Ngumoha. Prompted several stops from Jordan Pickford and delivered a perfect assist for Salah's opener. Robbed of his own strike in the second period by James Tarkowski's goalline clearance before switching to the central role when Isak departed, where he proved less effective.
Alexander Isak - 4
Practically invisible during the opening 45 minutes with merely five touches. Blasted directly at Pickford with his sole attempt before half-time, and his rustiness was epitomised in the second period when he was easily muscled from possession.
Substitutes
Freddie Woodman (on for Mamardashvili, 57) - 7
Made his Premier League bow for Liverpool from the bench. Looked assured and produced a fine stop to deny Ndiaye.
Rio Ngumoha (on for Isak, 72) - 5
One effort blocked before blazing another effort over the bar deep into added time. Should have done far better with that opportunity.
Alexis Mac Allister (on for Wirtz, 83) - 5
Conceded a handful of free-kicks. Little else of note.
Jeremie Frimpong (on for Gakpo, 83) - 5
Minimal impact.
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Milos Kerkez (on for Robertson, 86) - 5
As above, apart from a neat feint that created Ngumoha's late opening.