Liverpool edge Everton as Van Dijk strikes in dramatic finish
"Today was massive in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots," Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (3R) scores their late second 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. (Photos by AFP)
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LONDON — Virgil van Dijk scored a last-gasp winner against Everton on Sunday as Liverpool strengthened their push for a Champions League spot next season.
On a pivotal day in the English top division, fourth-placed Aston Villa squandered a two-goal lead against Sunderland but scored in stoppage time to win 4-3.
At the other end of the table, Morgan Gibbs-White netted a hat-trick as struggling Nottingham Forest came from behind against Burnley to win 4-1 and heap the pressure on troubled Tottenham.
Everton's Portuguese striker #09 Beto celebrates with Everton's English midfielder #22 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after scoring their first 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.
Just a few weeks ago, the battle for the top five, which guarantees entry into the Champions League, looked as though it might be tight.
But fifth-placed Liverpool's 2-1 victory in their first match at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium takes them seven points clear of stumbling Chelsea, in sixth spot.
Captain Van Dijk was the hero for Arne Slot's Liverpool, heading Dominik Szoboszlai's corner past a helpless Jordan Pickford in the 100th minute.
"Today was massive in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots," Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
"We've got five more games left (some) against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots. Every game is a big one."
Mohamed Salah had opened the scoring for last season's champions, slotting home in the first half following a superbly weighted pass from Cody Gakpo.
The goal came just two minutes after Iliman Ndiaye's effort at the other end was cancelled by VAR, with Jake O'Brien ruled offside.
Salah, departing at the end of the season, has equalled Steven Gerrard's nine goals to become the joint top-scoring player in the Premier League fixture between the two Merseyside teams.
The goal took the wind out of the sails of David Moyes' team but they were level through Beto within 10 minutes of the restart.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, on the left of Everton's attack, fired across goal for Beto to attack and he poked home ahead of an onrushing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was immedaiately stretchered off, replaced by Freddie Woodman.
The game looked destined to end as a draw but the officials signalled 11 added minutes but Van Dijk had the last laugh.
Villa thriller
Ollie Watkins scored twice for Villa, who moved level on 58 points with third-placed Manchester United, three clear of Liverpool.
Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk celebrates on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Everton and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north west England on April 19, 2026. Liverpool won the game 2-1.
England forward Watkins' early opener was cancelled out by Sunderland's Chris Rigg but Watkins restored Villa's lead in the 36th minute with his second headed goal of the game.
Morgan Rogers gave Villa breathing space with a third shortly after the restart but Unai Emery's team nearly threw it away as first Trai Hume and then Wilson Isidor scored within a minute for Sunderland.
But there was still time for Tammy Abraham to grab a dramatic late winner.
"What a position we are in, semi-final of European competition (Europa League) and pole position to qualify for top five," said captain John McGinn.
"We can go and achieve what not many Aston Villa players have done for a long time. We're keen to do that and we're driven, five big games left to try and get ourselves over the line."
Nottingham Forest, involved in a relegation scrap with West Ham and Tottenham, fell behind against Burnley but Gibbs-White put on a second-half masterclass to seal an ultimately comfortable win.
Forest are five points clear of 18th-placed Spurs, with Wolves and Burnley almost certainly doomed.
Tottenham could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton on Saturday to move a point behind West Ham, who travel to face Crystal Palace on Monday.
Manchester City host long-time leaders Arsenal at the Etihad in the late afternoon Sunday kick-off.
A win for Pep Guardiola's men plus victory against Burnley in midweek would take City top of the table.