Virgil van Dijk struck in the 100th minute to hand Liverpool FC a dramatic 2-1 victory over Everton FC in the first-ever Premier League Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In the 248th meeting between the two sides, it was a finale packed with emotion, controversy, and late heartbreak for the home crowd, as Liverpool once again found a way to snatch victory at the death.
⚽ First-half drama
Everton started the stronger side and looked dangerous early on, with Giorgi Mamardashvili forced into key saves to deny both Beto and James Garner.
The breakthrough appeared to come in the 27th minute when Iliman Ndiaye fired home, sparking wild celebrations. But after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside against Jake O’Brien in the build-up — a decision that proved pivotal.
Just two minutes later, Everton were punished.
After Dwight McNeil lost possession in his own half, Cody Gakpo reacted quickly and picked out Mohamed Salah, who calmly finished to give Liverpool the lead against the run of play. It was Salah’s ninth Merseyside derby goal — more than any other player in the Premier League era.
🔄 Everton fight back
The hosts responded in the second half and were handed a route back into the game after some slack Liverpool defending.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a dangerous ball across goal, and Beto was on hand to convert and level the match.
Liverpool’s problems deepened moments later when Mamardashvili was forced off through injury. With Alisson Becker unavailable, Freddie Woodman came on for his first Premier League appearance since 2021.
Woodman was quickly called into action, notably denying Ndiaye as both sides pushed for a winner in an increasingly frantic contest.
⏱️ Late, late drama
As the clock ticked deep into stoppage time — 10 minutes into the 11 added on — Liverpool found their moment.
A corner from Dominik Szoboszlai caused chaos in the Everton box, and up stepped Van Dijk to power home a decisive header, breaking Everton hearts and sending the away end into delirium.
It was yet another late derby winner for Liverpool — remarkably their sixth 90th-minute winner against Everton in the Premier League, the most one side has managed against another in the competition’s history.
📊 What it means
The victory strengthens Liverpool’s position in the race for European football, moving them seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea FC and putting them firmly on course for Champions League qualification.
For Everton, it’s a bitter pill to swallow after a strong performance — undone by fine margins, VAR intervention, and a cruel late twist.
At the Hill Dickinson, history was made — and once again, Liverpool had the final say.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The Kopite View 
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