Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Mon 20 April 2026 11:10, UK

Virgil van Dijk netted a late winner for Liverpool to controversially condemn Everton to a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Toffees played host to the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but were unable to secure a historic victory.

Beto cancelled out an earlier strike from Mohamed Salah before the Netherlands international went on to head home in the 10th minute of added time at the end of the 90.

That came as a blow to David Moyes’ side, who had generally done enough to secure at least a point against their closest rivals.

Everton certainly feel frustrated after losing to Liverpool, especially after the match-winner van Dijk somehow avoided punishment in L3.

Virgil van Dijk should have been carded vs Everton

Both sides had their moments in the Merseyside derby, but sharing the points would have been a relatively fair result.

A flourish of late chances have skewed the stats in Arne Slot’s favour, but the Blues can be largely pleased with their overall performance.

That may only fuel further frustration with van Dijk’s late winner coming 10 minutes into added time after he somehow avoided punishment in the first half.

He made a late challenge through the back of Idrissa Gueye, but only Jordan Pickford was booked in the aftermath of the foul.

Former Everton scout Bryan King was baffled by the call and believes the Liverpool man should have at least faced a yellow card.

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, King said: “It was an extremely late challenge, and he was fortunate not to get booked.

“It was poorly timed by van Dijk, and he should have been shown a yellow card.

“Curtis Jones turned to look at the linesman, to see whether there would be a worse reaction. I think Liverpool were surprised there wasn’t.

“That doesn’t take away from his winner; Everton had to pick him up.”

Van Dijk has tormented Everton again, but there is a general feeling of injustice after he wasn’t booked for such a poor challenge.

Jordan Pickford helped van Dijk avoid card vs Everton

Sometimes getting in the face of the official can help to bring a favourable decision when it comes to a poor challenge.

That wasn’t the case in this scenario, as Pickford raced out of his goal to confront Chris Kavanagh after van Dijk’s challenge on Gueye.

The England international faced an instant booking for dissent, while the Liverpool skipper jogged away without punishment.

The fact that the Toffees keeper made a big song and dance about things actually took the focus off the Dutchman and allowed him to get away scot-free.

Things could have been different if van Dijk had picked up that card, but instead, he got the last laugh with his late, late winner.

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