Liverpool left it late to snatch a dramatic 2-1 win over Everton in a chaotic first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time header settled a bruising contest.
Everton’s unfortunate first half
Everton started on the front foot, fuelled by a relentless home atmosphere. Beto was at the centre of it, twice going close early on and forcing a sharp save from Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The hosts thought they had their breakthrough when Iliman Ndiaye finished smartly from close range, only for VAR to rule it out for offside in the build-up.
That decision proved costly. Within minutes, Liverpool punished Everton, with Cody Gakpo slipping Mohamed Salah in behind, and the forward made no mistake, guiding a finish beyond Jordan Pickford to give the visitors the lead in the 29th minute.
It was a blow that knocked the rhythm out of Everton.
Blues hit back in second half
Liverpool threatened to build on their lead after the restart, but Everton responded well and found a deserved equaliser in the 54th minute.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drove down the left and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box, where Beto slid in to convert from close range.
The goal reignited the contest. Salah went close to restoring Liverpool’s lead soon after, his cross finding Gakpo at the back post, but James Tarkowski produced a crucial goal-line clearance.
The game became increasingly scrappy. Liverpool were forced into a change when Mamardashvili was injured in the build-up to Everton’s goal, handing Freddie Woodman a debut, while Everton suffered a significant blow late on as Jarrad Branthwaite was stretchered off with what looked like a hamstring injury.
Van Dijk finds late winner
With 11 minutes of added time signalled, the tension inside the stadium rose. Everton looked set to hold on for a point, but Liverpool found a decisive moment deep into stoppage time.
Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a corner from the left, and Van Dijk rose highest inside the six-yard box to head past Pickford and spark wild celebrations among the away supporters.
