Van Dijk’s Stoppage Time Header Silences Hill Dickinson Stadium in Historic Derby Win

Arne Slot reacts to Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Van Dijk’s late header secures historic victory in the first dockside derby.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 5:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

The Dawn of a New Era in Merseyside Rivalry

The 244th Merseyside derby marked a historic milestone as the fixture debuted at Everton’s £750 million Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. In a match defined by narrative tension and physical intensity, Liverpool managed to spoil the hosts' housewarming with a dramatic 2-1 victory in the final seconds of stoppage time. According to Arne Slot, the atmosphere at the new 52,769 capacity venue lived up to its billing, providing a relentless backdrop for one of the most significant encounters in the club's recent history. Slot noted that the match was exactly the kind of "real battle" he expected when traveling to the blue half of the city.

Surviving the Initial Toffees Surge

Everton, buoyed by the vocal support of their fans, dominated the opening fifteen minutes and nearly took the lead through Iliman Ndiaye, whose strike was eventually ruled out by VAR for an offside in the build up. Slot admitted that his squad struggled to find their rhythm during this chaotic opening phase, as Everton utilized high pressure and physical tackles to disrupt Liverpool's tactical setup. According to the Liverpool manager, both teams fought fiercely from the whistle, but he remained confident that the game would eventually settle into a pattern that favored his side's positioning and technical quality.

Salah Makes History as the Deadline Looms

Just minutes after Everton’s disallowed goal, Mohamed Salah etched his name into the record books by scoring the first ever derby goal at the new stadium. Capitalizing on a precise pass from Cody Gakpo, Salah’s 29th minute strike served as a poignant moment for the Egyptian, who has already announced his intention to depart the club at the end of the 2025/26 season. Despite a season characterized by fluctuating form, Salah’s ability to influence high stakes matches remains undiminished. According to Slot, the goal was a testament to the team's ability to find key players in space once the initial "chaos" of the Premier League derby subsided.