Van Dijk: ‘We have to make the best of a poor season’
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk admits it’s up to his side to try and salvage a poor season at the death.
“Today was massive in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots,” Van Dijk said to Sky Sports after the win.
“That is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality and it was important we got the win. I’m glad we did.”
“We’ve got five more games left against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots. Every game is a big one. Like I said, we are very disappointed as whole for the season that we’re having because of the quality we have. It’s below standards.
“But we have to keep fighting, keep going and make the best out of this poor season we’re having. That’s the reality, onto the next. Today was a good three points and next up is Crystal Palace at home, who we couldn’t beat for many, many games before.”
(PA Wire)
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:43
Everton v Liverpool talking points: Has Van Dijk ended race for Champions League despite goalkeeper crisis?
Virgil van Dijk scored a 100th-minute winner as Liverpool left it late to beat Everton in the first Merseyside derby to be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and claim a huge Premier League victory.
Mohamed Salah had struck Liverpool’s first goal at Everton’s new stadium just two-and-a-half minutes after Iliman Ndiaye thought he had given the hosts a deserved lead, only to see his strike disallowed for an offside in the build-up.
Everton responded well in the second half and pulled themselves level when Beto slid in to finish Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cross, which left Liverpool turning to their third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman after an injury to Giorgio Mamardashvili.
And, in the last minute of 11 minutes of stoppage time, Van Dijk rose to head in a corner and secure a famous win for the visitors.
It leaves Liverpool seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea in the race for the final Champions League spot, with five games of the season remaining. Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester United last night.
Read all of the talking points, courtesy of Jamie Braidwood:
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:33
Liverpool snatch late win over Everton
Wow! What a finish to the Merseyside derby. Liverpool arguably got away with it but an incredible moment at the new home of their bitter rivals.
The contrasting emotions!
(Getty)
(PA)
(PA)
(Reuters)
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:27
Jamie Carragher shares his thoughts on Liverpool win
Unsurprisingly, Jamie Carragher is delighted with that late Liverpool win.
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:16
WATCH: Virgil van Dijk wins it in the 100th minute
Here’s that moment that Liverpool won the Merseyside derby. Virgil van Dijk the hero
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:08
FULL-TIME! Everton 1-2 Liverpool
AND THAT’S IT! All over – heartbreak for Everton but Virgil van Dijk has snatched a Merseyside derby victory right at the death
(Getty)
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:04
Everton 1-2 Liverpool, 90+11 mins
James Garner lunges in and earns a yellow card for the foul. Just frustration at this point
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:03
GOAL! Everton 1-2 Liverpool (Virgil van Dijk, 100 mins)
OH MY WORD! INCREDIBLE STUFF. Virgil van Dijk has snatched a last-gasp victory for Liverpool!!! Unreal.
Everton hearts broken at the Hill Dickinson. Szoboszlai puts the corner into the mixer, Van Dijk reads the flight of the ball and heads home from six yards out. Incredible!
(PA)
Luke Baker19 April 2026 16:00
Everton 1-1 Liverpool, 90+7 mins
Jeers from the Everton fans as they think Woodman is taking too long over a free-kick. I’m not sure Liverpool are really playing for the point but Everton are certainly eyeing all three.
The Reds patiently probe in the Toffees half but Ngumoha’s pass is errant and the hosts clear
(Reuters)
Luke Baker19 April 2026 15:56
Everton 1-1 Liverpool, 90+3 mins
Frimpong runs at Mykolenko and Garner, ending up sandwiched between the two. He commits the foul himself trying to get up though.
Mac Allister then catches an opponent and gets a talking to from the ref before Woodman almost has a moment of disaster bu manages to scramble clear at the last second.
Luke Baker19 April 2026 15:54