Mohamed Salah nets in final Merseyside derby as Virgil van Dijk secures 2-1 Liverpool win
Mohamed Salah scores in his final Merseyside derby as Virgil van Dijk nets a stoppage-time winner to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.
Liverpool bid farewell to Mohamed Salah’s derby appearances with a 2-1 victory over local rivals Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026.
Salah opened the scoring for the visitors before captain Virgil van Dijk produced a dramatic injury-time winner to seal three points for the Reds.
The result keeps Liverpool’s push for Champions League qualification alive while marking a memorable final Merseyside derby contribution from the Egyptian forward.
Salah opens scoring in his final Merseyside derby
Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the 29th minute with a composed finish that eased growing nerves among the away support.
The 33-year-old, who has announced he will depart Anfield at the end of the season, marked what is likely his last derby appearance with another goal against Everton.
With that strike Salah moved level with Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s joint top scorer in Premier League Merseyside derbies, underlining his enduring influence in high-profile local matches.
Van Dijk provides late seal to the win
After a tense second half, Virgil van Dijk rose to the occasion and converted a late set-piece to turn the match in Liverpool’s favour.
The captain’s injury-time header ensured a dramatic finish and served as an emphatic send-off for Salah’s derby career.
Van Dijk praised Salah’s impact on and off the pitch after the match, calling him an “outstanding teammate” and stressing his continued importance for Liverpool’s remaining fixtures.
Match flow and decisive moments
Everton started the brighter and posed an early threat, forcing Liverpool onto the back foot in the opening stages.
Salah’s opener shifted momentum, but Everton continued to press and created several chances that kept the game finely poised.
The turning point arrived deep into stoppage time when Liverpool capitalised on a set-piece to grab the decisive second goal and claim the derby spoils.
Player and manager reactions after the final whistle
Salah reflected on his contribution with a mix of satisfaction and focus, saying the goal helped the team “feel more confident” and expressing his desire to finish the season strongly.
Van Dijk acknowledged the significance of Salah’s presence in the dressing room and on the field, hinting at the emotional weight of his teammate’s imminent departure.
Both teams’ managers highlighted the competitive intensity of the fixture and underlined the importance of the remaining league matches for their respective campaigns.
Implications for Liverpool’s season and Everton’s outlook
The victory bolsters Liverpool’s bid for a return to the Champions League places with five league games left to play.
Salah’s renewed scoring form — three goals in his last three Premier League starts — will be an asset as Liverpool chase crucial points down the run-in.
For Everton, the defeat represents a missed opportunity to capitalise on derby momentum but also offers lessons about set-piece defending and late-game concentration.
Liverpool fans celebrated a result that combined both on-field success and a poignant farewell moment for one of the club’s most influential attackers.
Salah’s final derby contribution provided a fitting bookend to his Merseyside rivalry record, while van Dijk’s last-gasp intervention ensured the three points remained with the visitors.
The match will be remembered for Salah’s composed opener and van Dijk’s dramatic finisher, a combination that produced a classic derby ending at Everton’s new ground.