One of English football’s oldest and fiercest rivalries entered a new chapter as Everton hosted Liverpool for the first time at their brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium. The historic Merseyside derby delivered drama, intensity, and a late twist befitting the occasion.

Liverpool struck first in the 29th minute, with Mohamed Salah finishing instinctively from close range after a sharp low cross from Cody Gakpo down the left flank — a move executed with precision and pace to make it 0–1.

Everton responded early in the second half. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced a superb through ball to Beto, who beat Andy Robertson to the pass and poked it beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili for the equaliser. The moment came at a cost for the visitors, however, as the Liverpool goalkeeper picked up an injury during the play. With Alisson Becker still sidelined, third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman was forced into action.

As the match edged towards a draw, Liverpool found one final surge deep into stoppage time. In the 100th minute, they won a crucial corner. Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a pinpoint cross, and Virgil van Dijk rose above everyone to power home the winner, sealing a dramatic 2–1 victory.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Everton - Liverpool 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Salah, 29 (0:1); Beto, 54 (1:1); van Dijk, 90 (1:2)

Everton: Pickford; Tarkowski; O´Brien; Mykolenko; Dewsbury-Hall; Gueye I.; Branthwaite (Keane M., 87); Garner J-s; Ndiaye Il.; Mcneil (George, 80); Beto (Barry T., 73)
Substitution: Barry T. (from 73); George (from 80); Keane M. (from 87)
Bench: Travers; Patterson N.; Alcaraz C.; Iroegbunam; Dibling; Röhl
Yellow Cards: Pickford 22; Garner J-s 90

Liverpool: Mamardashvili (Woodman, 58); van Dijk; Konate; Robertson A. (Kerkez M., 86); Wirtz (Mac Allister A., 84); Szoboszlai; Jones Cur.; Gravenberch R.; Salah; Isak (Ngumoha, 72); Gakpo (Frimpong J., 84)
Substitution: Woodman (from 58); Ngumoha (from 72); Frimpong J. (from 84); Mac Allister A. (from 84); Kerkez M. (from 86)
Bench: Pécsi; Chiesa F.; Nyoni