Liverpool took a huge step towards UEFA Champions League qualification for next season after a 100th minute winner from Virgil van Dijk earned them 2-1 win over local rivals Everton.
Everton thought they had taken the lead just before the half hour mark when Iliman Ndiaye got on the end of a James O’Brien cross to give the hosts the lead.
VAR ruled it out after O’Brien was deemed offside in the build up and two minutes later, Cody Gakpo’s sublime pass found Mohamed Salah who opened the scoring in his final ever Merseyside derby.
In the second half, Everton equalised after Beto bundled a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ball into the net before Van Dijk’s 100th minute winner broke the hearts of Toffees fans.
Salah announced his decision to leave Liverpool in March, as his glittered spell at the club is set to come to an end.
Despite winning his second PFA Player of the Year award last season as he and Liverpool earned their second Premier League title, Salah has seen his performances drop this season.
The Egyptian King has now scored in back-to-back games in the Premier League, making it three in his last four games after just four goals in his first 20.
Whilst he may not be making the same runs and dribbles that he once did for the club, he was a constant presence as he looks to end his time at Liverpool on a high and help secure the club Champions League football for next season.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Alexander Isak of Liverpool runs with the ball under pressure from Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Eyebrows were raised when Arne Slot started Alexander Isak against Paris Saint-German on Tuesday night, despite having said pre-game he could only play 45 minutes.
Isak was once again in the starting lineup for Liverpool today, likely forced due to the season ending Achilles injury for striker Hugo Ekitike.
He had a longer spell on the pitch today, being taken off for Rio Ngumoha in the 72nd minute, but looked far from match fit.
Besides from a few moments where he got in the right position, the former Newcastle United front man was largely absent.
At one point, he had the lowest total of touches in the entire game with two, the next lowest player being 13.
Signed for the fourth-highest transfer fee in football history, a Premier League record, Isak’s first season at Liverpool has been beyond underwhelming with just two goals in 12 league games, 3 in 20 in all competitions.
Liverpool’s defence still shows frailty
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Beto of Everton and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Despite the win, Liverpool had their fair share of problems defensively in today’s Merseyside Derby.
Ibrahima Konaté, who has struggled throughout this season, was once again left exposed at the back.
Whether it was for the disallowed Ndiaye goal, or his role in Beto’s equaliser, Konaté once again looked leggy and a mistake waiting to happen.
Konaté earned a lot of plaudits for returning from injury last season to help the club amidst injury issues, but with a contract situation looming, his future is far from certain at the club.
Cody Gakpo has his best game of the season
Liverpool’s Dutch striker #18 Cody Gakpo (C) celebrates Salah’s opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north west England on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Despite the second most goals and being joint second for assists in the Premier League this season, Gakpo has been far from the player he was last season.
However, in today’s win, he was excellent in what is arguably his best performance of the season to date.
His assist to Salah for the opener was superb, and he was a constant threat to the Everton with his signature cut in from the left move.