Liverpool defeat Everton with dramatic Van Dijk 100th-minute winner
Virgil van Dijk scored a 100th-minute header as Liverpool secured a dramatic 2-1 Premier League victory over Everton in the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The seasoned veterans delivered when it mattered most to spare the blushes of their high-profile new team-mates.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring following a precise assist from Cody Gakpo, before the Dutch captain clinched all three points deep into stoppage time.
Dominik Szoboszlai provided the crucial delivery for the decisive goal, while Curtis Jones impressed while deputising in an unfamiliar right-back role.
Salah and Van Dijk rescue struggling arrivals
The reliance on the established guard highlighted the ongoing struggles of recent marquee additions Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz.
Both attackers arrived at Anfield last summer for fees exceeding £100m, but they largely failed to influence the match against their local rivals.
The Swedish striker appeared lacking in match sharpness following recent fitness issues, while the German playmaker struggled with the intense physical demands of the fixture.
Watkins double edges Villa closer to Champions League
Elsewhere in the top flight, Aston Villa moved 10 points clear inside the top five following a thrilling 4-3 victory over Sunderland.
Ollie Watkins proved instrumental for the Midlands club by scoring twice, ending a frustrating domestic goal drought that stretched back to early February.
The dramatic win leaves the team firmly on course to secure elite European football for next season.
They could mathematically guarantee their Champions League place before facing Nottingham Forest in their upcoming Europa League semi-final tie.
Forest ease relegation fears with heavy victory
Forest prepared for that looming continental clash by securing a vital 4-1 triumph over Burnley to ease their domestic relegation worries.
The comprehensive victory provides a significant boost for Vitor Pereira’s squad as they battle to preserve their top-flight status heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
