In a dramatic climax to the inaugural Merseyside derby at the newly built Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Everton, thanks to a last‑gasp header from captain Virgil van Dijk in the 100th minute. The match, which marked the first ever top‑flight derby at the venue, delivered all the excitement and tension that fans could hope for, with both sides showing moments of brilliance before the decisive finish.
The opening half saw Liverpool take the lead when Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's talismanic forward, capitalised on a perfectly timed pass from Cody Gakpo. Salah’s composure inside the box allowed him to slot the ball past Everton goalkeeper Jake O'Brien, giving the Reds a 1-0 advantage and making history as the scorer of the first derby goal at the stadium. The goal was confirmed after a brief VAR review that ruled out an off‑side flag on Everton defender Jake O'Brien during the build‑up, ensuring the decision stood.
Everton, managed by David Moyes, responded with determination. Their Brazilian striker Beto threatened the Liverpool defence on several occasions, twice seeing his attempts saved – first by Liverpool’s Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and then by a mis‑hit that saw the ball sail harmlessly over the bar. Despite the early pressure, the home side could not find the equaliser before the break, and the half ended with Liverpool holding a slender lead. The second half began with Everton upping the tempo.
Mid‑fielder Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall delivered a dangerous cross that found Beto, who finally broke the deadlock in the early minutes after the interval. The Brazilian’s finish was clean and gave the Toffees a 1-1 draw, injecting fresh energy into the match and setting the stage for an even more intense conclusion. The equaliser also highlighted Everton’s resilience, as they continued to press and create chances against a Liverpool side that appeared to be tiring as the game wore on.
As the clock ticked toward the 90‑minute mark, both managers made tactical adjustments. Liverpool’s Arne Slot, who has been praised for his attacking philosophy, introduced Dominik Szoboszlai to add width and set‑piece threat. In the added time, Szoboszlai earned a corner that would prove decisive.
The ball was whipped into the box, and Van Dijk rose above Everton defender James Tarkowski, meeting the delivery with a powerful header that flew past O'Brien into the net. The goal, scored in the 100th minute, secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Liverpool and sent the visiting supporters into rapturous celebration. The win has significant implications for the Premier League table. Liverpool now sit seven points clear of sixth‑placed Chelsea with five matches remaining, bolstering their hopes of securing a Champions League qualification spot for next season.
Conversely, Everton remain in tenth place, missing the chance to climb into the top six despite a hard‑fought performance. Post‑match reactions highlighted the importance of the result.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher, covering the game from the stadium, emphasised the magnitude of the win, especially given Liverpool’s recent loss to Chelsea. He noted, "The result is absolutely huge for Liverpool when you consider the Chelsea result yesterday. When that board went up for 11 minutes, I would have shaken with anyone and taken a point from a Liverpool point of view." Salah, who was named player of the match, reflected on his contribution, saying, "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, it was going to be difficult and I'm glad we managed to win. I just want to keep scoring and help the team to the Champions League.
Hopefully I can say farewell in the right way." Van Dijk, the match‑winner, also spoke to Sky Sports, acknowledging the significance of the goal in the context of Liverpool’s season: "Today it was massive in the situation we are in, where we are in the hunt for the Champions League spots. That's definitely not Liverpool‑worthy in my opinion, but it is the reality and it was important we got the win today and I'm glad we did. We've got five more games left against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots.
Every game is a big one and we are very disappointed as a whole for the season we are having because, with the quality we have, it's below standards. But we have to keep fighting, keep going and make the best out of this difficult season we are having. That's the reality, but onto the next." Moyes, addressing the press after the defeat, expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic: "We did not deserve the outcome we got.
Football can be cruel sometimes. You have to bounce back from adversity.
I don't think it will affect the team. The players did a good job, especially in the first 20 minutes when we had big periods of control." The match was also notable for several injury incidents.
Mamardashvili suffered a serious wound after colliding with Beto near the goal line while making a save, requiring him to be replaced by Freddie Woodman. Slot later confirmed that Mamardashvili would need hospital treatment.
Additionally, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite left the field with an injury late in the game and was substituted by Michael Keane, a change that Moyes could not fully explain at the time but acknowledged as a concern. Statistically, the game featured a full complement of players from both sides, with Liverpool’s line‑up including Mamardashvili, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Wirtz, Salah, Isak and Gakpo, while Everton fielded Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, McNeil, Dewsbury‑Hall, Ndiaye and Beto. The match also saw a number of substitutions as managers sought to influence the tempo and preserve fitness for the remaining fixtures.
Beyond the immediate result, the derby will be remembered for its historic firsts: the first Premier League derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the first goal scored there by Salah, and the first winning goal by Van Dijk. Both clubs will look back on the encounter as a benchmark for future meetings, with Liverpool hoping to build on the momentum toward a top‑four finish, and Everton aiming to regroup and push higher up the table. For fans wanting to relive the highlights, the Premier League offers on‑demand video through various platforms, and the league’s official website provides live tables, fixtures, and a chance to predict future scores for a prize.
The excitement generated by this match underscores the enduring rivalry between Liverpool and Everton, a rivalry that continues to produce unforgettable moments for supporters on both sides.