Captain does captain’s job - Van Dijk kills off Everton in Merseyside #248 and pushes Reds toward UCL

The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton always carries a certain weight. However, this time it was even greater considering the positions of both clubs and their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Everything seemed set for the teams to share the points, with Salah and Beto scoring in the first 90 minutes, but then in the 10th minute of stoppage time, Van Dijk struck. His goal brought Liverpool a lot — a win and an almost certain place in European competition next season.

Everton started the match brighter and looked far more dangerous in the opening 15 minutes. The first real chance came as early as the 6th minute when Garner delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, finding Beto, whose powerful header forced a superb reflex save from Mamardashvili. It was a well-worked move from the hosts, matched by an excellent stop from the Liverpool goalkeeper.

The home side continued to show more intent early on, enjoying greater possession and producing more direct attacks. Garner tested Mamardashvili again in the 15th minute with a long-range effort, though the play was eventually ruled offside.

Just a minute later, Everton squandered a massive opportunity — Beto was played clean through on goal but produced a dreadful finish, dragging his shot wide in a one-on-one situation.

Tensions were high throughout, with several heated moments. In the 22nd minute, Virgil van Dijk committed a strong foul and then handled the ball, in a situation that could easily have resulted in a yellow card, but referee Chris Kavanagh chose not to book him. Tempers flared again shortly after, as Ndiaye and Szoboszlai clashed in a brief confrontation.

Everton thought they had taken the lead in the 27th minute when Ndiaye finished from close range after a cross from O’Brien, but the goal was disallowed due to offside in the build-up.

That moment proved costly, as Liverpool struck just two minutes later. After a mistake from McNeil, Cody Gakpo won possession and delivered a brilliant pass to Mohamed Salah, who calmly finished past Pickford to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.

From that point on, the momentum shifted completely. Liverpool grew into the game and began to control proceedings. Gakpo came close again in the 42nd minute with a strong effort under the bar, but Pickford reacted well to keep it out. In stoppage time, Isak tried his luck from the edge of the box, though his shot went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

In contrast to the opening phase where Everton were the better side, Liverpool took over after scoring and looked far more composed and dangerous heading into halftime.

The second half brought immediate drama and a completely different rhythm, with Everton wasting no time in getting back into the match.

The equalizer arrived in the 54th minute — and it was Everton’s very first chance after the break. Dewsbury-Hall made a strong run down the left following a pass from Mykolenko and drilled a low ball into the six-yard box, where Beto slid in to turn it past Mamardashvili for 1–1.

However, the goal came at a cost for Liverpool, as Beto’s follow-through resulted in a heavy collision with the goalkeeper. Mamardashvili was unable to continue and had to be stretchered off, with third-choice keeper Woodman — making his first appearance since October in the FA Cup — coming on in his place.

Liverpool tried to respond quickly, and the lively Cody Gakpo remained their main threat. In the 59th minute, he tested Pickford with a shot from around 20 meters, but it drifted wide. Just two minutes later, Gakpo came even closer — meeting Salah’s cross with a header that seemed destined for the net, only for Tarkowski to make a crucial goal-line clearance.

Everton, though, were growing in confidence. In the 64th minute, Pickford launched a precise ball forward to Ndiaye, who burst down the left and fired toward goal, but Woodman reacted well to push the shot away.

In the 87th minute, we witnessed another unfortunate scene on the pitch as Branthwaite suffered a hamstring injury and had to be stretchered off. As always, the intense battle in this derby brought yet another serious injury.

The match was extended by as many as 11 minutes, and in the eighth minute of stoppage time, young Ngumoha had a big chance. After a fine move, he fired from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed well over Pickford’s goal.

That it’s never over with Liverpool was proven in the 10th minute of stoppage time! A corner from the left, Szoboszlai’s delivery, and a superb header from Van Dijk stunned Hill Dickinson and secured a win for Liverpool that all but seals their place in the Champions League.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 33

Saturday

Brentford - Fulham 0-0

Leeds - Wolverhampton 3-0 (2-0)

/Justin 18, Okafor 20, Calvert-Lewin 90+5 pen/

Newcastle - Bournemouth 1-2 (0-1)

/Osula 68 - Tavernier 32, Truffert 85/

Tottenham - Brighton 2-2 (1-1)

/Porro 38, Simons 77 - Mitoma 45+3, Rutter 90+5/

Chelsea - Manchester United 0-1 (0-1)

/Cunha 43/

Sunday

Aston Villa - Sunderland 4-3 (2-1)

/Watkins 2, 36, Rogers 46, Abraham 90+3 - Rigg 9, Hume 86, Isidor 87/

Everton - Liverpool 1-2 (0-1)

/Beto 54 - Salah 29, Van Dijk 90+10/

Nottingham Forest - Burnley 4-1 (0-1)

/Gibbs-White 62, 69, 77, Jesus 90+8 - Flemming 45+2/

18.30: (1.85) Manchester City (3.80) Arsenal (4.05)

Monday

22.00: (2.40) Crystal Palace (3.35) West Ham (2.95)

***odds are subject to change***