Virgil van Dijk scores stoppage-time winner as Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 in Merseyside derby

Everton lost 2-1 to Liverpool in the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

The Toffees should have opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Beto failed to hit the target.

Everton thought their bright start had paid off after 27 minutes when Iliman Ndiaye guided a cross into the net. However, it was ruled offside.

Liverpool broke the deadlock two minutes later, with Mohamed Salah side-footing Cody Gakpo’s pass into the net.

The Reds pushed to double their advantage before the break with efforts from Gakpo and Alexander Isak, but Pickford was equal to the task on both occasions.

Beto made amends for his earlier miss as he restored parity for Everton in the 53rd minute. He got in front of Andrew Robertson to guide a cross home.

Giorgi Mamardashvili picked up an injury during the build-up to the Toffees’ equaliser. Freddie Woodman came on to make his Liverpool debut, replacing the Georgian.

The visitors nearly went back ahead following brilliant teamwork, allowing Gakpo to shoot, but he failed to hit the target.

Woodman was first called into action in the 64th minute, parrying Ndiaye’s effort at the near post.

Virgil van Dijk scored a late winner for Liverpool with a thumping header from Dominic Szoboszlai’s corner.

The victory boosts Liverpool’s Champions League qualification hopes as they are now seven points clear of Chelsea.