Liverpool grabbed a 2-1 win on Sunday at the first Merseyside Derby of Hill Dickinson Stadium. With the decider arriving long into added time, it was a game of end-to-end football and equal possession.
Everton kicked-off the game as the stronger team, creating the better early chances. Attacks from the likes of Beto and James Garner tested Giorgi Mamardashvili and his defence from the get-go.
The Toffees thought they had taken the lead in the 27th minute when Iliman Ndiaye found the net. But, a VAR decision cut celebrations short, ruling the goal offside against Jake O’Brien in the build-up.
Liverpool responded almost immediately. Within the next two minutes, Cody Gakpo’s through ball to Mohammed Salah set him up for a clean left-footed shot which hit the back of the net. This goal was the Egyptian’s seventh of the Premier League season.
SCORE AFTER FIRST HALF: EVERTON 0 – 1 LIVERPOOL
Everton responded quickly in the second half. Their equaliser came from a low ball across the goal, delivered by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, which Beto converted from close range.
Mamardashvili collided with both Beto and own teammate Andy Robertson during the goal, and was forced off through injury. This led Freddie Woodman to make his first Premier League appearance since 2021, as Alisson Becker was still unavailable.
A physical battle between the two sides continued. With both pushing for a winner, fans were on the edge of their seats when a call for 11 minutes added time was made.
On his 100th appearance for Liverpool in this competition, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to take a corner from the left. The ball was met in the air by the head of skipper Virgil van Dijk, powering it home to seal the victory for his team.
FINAL SCORE: EVERTON 1 – 2 LIVERPOOL
The result continued a pattern in the meet-up, with Liverpool recording their sixth 90th-minute winner against Everton in the league. It is the most by one side against another in the competition’s history.
For his final derby with the Reds, Salah said to Sky Sports: “It feels great. The most important thing was to help the team to settle down and feel more confident.
I just want to keep scoring and help the team to the Champions League. Hopefully I can say farewell in the right way.”
