EVERTON 1-2 LIVERPOOL: A goal deep into stoppage time from Virgil van Dijk gave the red half of the Merseyside derby day delight, silencing Hill Dickinson Stadium
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) 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 Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk was Liverpool's hero derby day(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Virgil van Dijk popped up with a 100th-minute winner to spoil the first Merseyside derby at Everton's new stadium. Beto had cancelled out the opening goal from Mo Salah, only for Liverpool's captain grabbed the decisive goal in the dying embers.
Everton were first to hit the back of the net, but Iliman Ndiaye's goal was ultimately disallowed for offside after wild celebrations. That proved to be a turning point in the first half, as Salah profited from a superb Cody Gakpo assist to break the deadlock for good.
But Beto equalised the Toffees shortly after the restart, scoring a goal which also resulted in a nasty injury for Giorgi Mamardashvili. Liverpool had the last laugh, though, as Van Dijk headed home and boosted their Champions League hopes.
Here are five talking points from Hill Dickinson Stadium.
1. Slot opts for experience
With no surprises in the Everton line-up, who were unchanged from last week's 2-2 draw at Brentford, there were eyebrows raised towards Liverpool's XI. Arne Slot changed both of his full-backs from their 2-0 loss against Paris-Saint Germain on Tuesday, with Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson replacing Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Clearly, Slot was relying on their pair's derby experience. Jones was one of only two local players on the pitch at kick-off, as Birkenhead-born James Garner started in Everton's midfield.
2. Salah adds final touch to derby record
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Mo Salah scored what's likely to be his final goal against Everton(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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In the minutes after Ndiaye's goal was ruled out, it seemed as if the wind had been taken out of Everton's sails. Attempting to play out from the back, Dwight McNeil misplaced a pass which was immediately pounced upon by Cody Gakpo.
The Liverpool star picked up the ball and produced a perfectly-weighted diagonal pass right through Everton defence and into the path of Salah. Racing into the box, it was a simple task for the Egyptian to slot the ball beyond Jordan Pickford and score the first Merseyside derby goal at this stadium.
It was Salah's ninth league derby goal - only Ian Rush and Steven Gerrard have scored more.
3. Beto continues hot streak
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Beto of Everton scores his team's first goal, past Giorgi Mamardashvili of Liverpool who is injured in the process of attempting to make the save during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Beto drew Everton level with his fourth goal in three games(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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If there's one thing that Everton fans have demanded from Beto, it's consistency. And now their striker, establishing himself first choice ahead of Thierno Barry, is finally getting there.
Bundling home the equaliser courtest of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's cross, Beto made it four goals in three games. The 28-year-old had missed a sitter in the half when the game was goalless, but within 10 minutes of the second period, he got Everton back on level terms and ensured that the stadium was rocking again.
4. Liverpool lose Mamardashvili in double whammy
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Giorgi Mamardashvili of Liverpool is stretchered off the pitch after clashing with Beto of Everton (not pictured) as he scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Giorgi Mamardashvili had to be stretchered off due to injury(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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As if conceding wasn't bad enough, Liverpool have to change their goalkeeper in the wake of Beto's strike. The Everton man's sliding finish had taken both him and Robertson into the body of Mamardashvili.
The shot-stopper - who made a fantastic diving save in the first half - stayed down during the celebrations and it soon become apparent that he needed to come off. A stretcher was called for and Mamardashvili was replaced by Freddie Woodman, on for his Premier League debut for Liverpool.
It's now an injury crisis in the goalkeeping department for the Reds, having been without Alisson for a month. Mamardashvili wasn't the only player to leave the pitch on a stretcher, with Jarrad Branthwaite coming off for the hosts. The World Cup hopeful was in tears after appearing to pull his hamstring.
5. Anonymous Isak
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Alexander Isak of Liverpool runs with the ball under pressure from Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak failed to make an impact(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Only his second start since recovering from a broken leg, it's clear that Alexander Isak still isn't ready to lead the line for Liverpool. Slot, of course, couldn't call on Hugo Ekitike after Liverpool's other striker ruptured his Achilles in midweek, ruling him out for potentially nine months.
But for a £125million signing, Slot will want more than nine touches in more than an hour of football in a game of this magnitude. The Swede didn't offer much in the way of holding up the ball and fired off just one shot which was easily saved by Pickford.
Should Liverpool dip into the market for a new striker this summer? At least they'll still have Van Dijk to score the goals.