Everton 1-2 Liverpool
by James Nalton
at Bramley-Moore Dock

A LAST-GASP Virgil van Dijk goal in the 10th minute of added time meant the first Merseyside derby at Everton’s new stadium went the way of the red side in dramatic fashion today.

The Liverpool captain headed in a Dominik Szoboszlai corner when the game looked done and dusted, to claim a memorable victory for the red half of Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah had given Liverpool the lead in the first half before Beto levelled things in the second, and it looked like it would remain that way.

The similarity of both teams’ end-of-season aims gave this derby an additional edge, even beyond the significant matter of local bragging rights. In that context, the late goal was the worst way to lose, the best way to win.

It was an intense, atmospheric and hard-fought game, not always full of quality football.

Everton began the stronger side, and for much of the game looked the most likely winners.

They were buoyed by a booming atmosphere at Bramley-Moore Dock as the new stadium, which is as close to the River Mersey as you can get, revelled in hosting its first Merseyside derby.

The Toffees twice looked like they were going to take the lead, first through Beto’s header from James Garner’s cross, saved brilliantly by Giorgi Mamardashvili, and then when Iliman Ndiaye found the net, prompting wild celebrations in the old dock, only for replays to show Jake O’Brien offside in the build-up.

In the end, it was Salah who scored the first Merseyside derby goal at the stadium, latching on to a defence-splitting pass from Cody Gakpo.

Everton’s equaliser was deserved. Beto’s hold-up play and movement had been impressive throughout, and he eventually found a goal to go with this when he got on the end of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross.

Both teams needed a win to boost their respective European qualification hopes, and in the end, it was Liverpool who did so thanks to their captain. The team went on to celebrate wildly in front of their fans, who stayed long after the full-time whistle, revelling in the victory.