Salah scored the first goal for Liverpool, but Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal in injury time against local rivals Everton.
Published on 19 April 2026
The only consolation for Everton fans after seeing Mohamed Salah score another goal in the Merseyside derby is that they will never have to see the Egyptian lose to their rivals again.
The 33-year-old winger, who has announced he will leave Anfield at the end of the football season, bid farewell to Liverpool’s cross-city rivals in trademark fashion, netting the opener for his side as they won 2-1 in the English Premier League on Sunday.
In doing so, Salah joined former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard as joint top scorers in the Premier League Merseyside derby with nine goals, before captain Virgil van Dijk provided the perfect send-off with a late winner.
“It feels great,” Salah told Sky Sports when asked about scoring in his last derby. “The most important thing was to help the team settle in and feel more confident. We knew before the game it was going to be tricky and difficult, and I’m glad we were able to win it.”
Liverpool were on the backfoot in the opening exchanges against an energetic Everton side, but Salah calmed their nerves with a composed finish to give the visitors the lead in the 29th minute in the first derby at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Van Dijk said of Salah, “There will be a lot of words coming out of my mouth about him over the next few weeks, but he is very important for us on and off the pitch.”
“Sometimes appreciation fades when players leave, but we appreciate him very much. He is an excellent teammate. We have gone through everything together, ups and downs. He will still be important for the last five games we have to play,” he said.
With three goals in his last three Premier League matches, Salah has significantly improved his form after a poor campaign, and says he still has more to offer.
Salah said, “I want to keep scoring like this and help the team achieve the Champions League this season. Hopefully I can send off on the right note.”
