In a dramatic conclusion to the inaugural Merseyside derby at the newly‑opened Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool emerged victorious thanks to a last‑gasp header from captain Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender rose above Everton centre‑back James Tarkowski to nod home the decisive goal in the 100th minute, sealing a 2‑1 win for the Reds. The match began with Liverpool taking the initiative. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's talismanic forward, opened the scoring in the first half after latching onto a superb pass from Cody Gakpo.
Salah’s finish was clinical, giving the home side an early advantage and marking the first ever derby goal at the stadium. Everton responded with vigor, and striker Beto came close to equalising on two occasions, first being denied by a spectacular save from Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and then by his own mis‑fire. A VAR check later confirmed that Jake O'Brien had been off‑side in the build‑up to Salah’s strike, but the decision stood and the goal remained. The second half saw Everton raise the tempo.
Early on, the visitors earned a penalty when a challenge inside the box forced a foul, but their attempt was saved, keeping the score at 1‑0. The pressure intensified when Beto finally broke the deadlock, capitalising on a well‑timed cross from Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall.
The Brazilian’s finish was sharp and left the Liverpool defence scrambling, leveling the match at 1‑1 and setting the stage for a tense finish. Both managers, Liverpool’s Arne Slot and Everton’s David Moyes, tried to steady their squads. Slot praised the resilience of his big‑picture players, noting that the team had shown character despite the injury setbacks that have plagued their season.
Moyes, on the other hand, acknowledged that his side had fought hard but fell short, lamenting the cruel nature of football after the defeat. As the clock ticked beyond regular time, the game entered extra time.
Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a dangerous corner that curled into the Liverpool box. Van Dijk, towering above the crowd, met the delivery with a powerful header that flew past the Everton goalkeeper and into the net. The goal, coming in the 100th minute, gave Liverpool a dramatic win and marked Van Dijk’s first ever winner at the new stadium. The victory propelled Liverpool seven points clear of sixth‑placed Chelsea with five games remaining, keeping their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League alive.
Everton, meanwhile, remained in tenth place, missing the chance to climb into the top six. The result also meant that both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk added another memorable chapter to their Liverpool legends, with Salah becoming the first player to score a derby goal at Hill Dickinson and Van Dijk delivering the match‑winning header. Post‑match reactions highlighted the significance of the win.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher praised the performance, stating, "The result is absolutely huge for Liverpool when you consider the Chelsea result yesterday. Two of the absolute legends of the club have done it – Salah and probably Van Dijk in 12 months' time." Salah, speaking to Sky Sports, expressed his delight: "It feels great. The most important thing was to help the team settle down and feel more confident. We knew before the game it was going to be tricky, but I'm glad we managed to win.
I just want to keep scoring and help the team to the Champions League." Van Dijk added, "Today it was massive in the situation we are in, where we are hunting for Champions League spots. It's not just a win; it’s a statement that we can still deliver when it matters. We have five more games left against teams also fighting for those places, and every match is a big one." Everton boss David Moyes, in the post‑match press conference, admitted his side did not deserve the result: "Football can be cruel sometimes. You have to bounce back from adversity.
The players did a good job, especially in the first 20 minutes when we had control. I don’t think we offered Liverpool too many chances overall." The match also featured several injuries. Mamardashvili suffered a serious wound after colliding with Beto near the line while attempting to stop the equaliser.
He was replaced by Freddie Woodman, who had to come on unexpectedly. Slot later commented on the goalkeeper’s condition, noting that he had to be taken to hospital for treatment. Later in the game, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite left the field with an injury and was substituted by Michael Keane, prompting further concern from Moyes.
Statistically, the game was a showcase of individual performances. Liverpool’s lineup included Mamardashvili, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Wirtz, Salah, Isak, and Gakpo, with Woodman, Ngumoha, Frimpong, Mac Allister, and Kerkez on the bench.
Everton fielded Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, McNeil, Dewsbury‑Hall, Ndiaye, and Beto, with Barry, George, and Keane as substitutes. Salah was named player of the match for his early contribution. Beyond the immediate drama, the fixture underscored the evolving narrative of the Merseyside rivalry in a new venue. It was the 248th derby overall, but the first at Hill Dickinson, adding a fresh chapter to a storied history.
Both clubs will look ahead: Liverpool to consolidate their push for European qualification, and Everton to regroup and aim for a higher league finish. For fans wanting to relive the action, the Premier League highlights are available on streaming platforms, and the live table and upcoming fixtures can be followed on the official league website. The match also featured promotional messages encouraging viewers to use Chrome for an optimal video experience. In summary, the 100th‑minute header from Van Dijk not only secured three points for Liverpool but also cemented his status as a clutch performer in high‑stakes matches.
The win kept Liverpool’s Champions League aspirations alive, while Everton were left to reflect on missed opportunities and the fine margins that decide derby outcomes.