Virgil van Dijk headed in a 100th-minute winner for Liverpool as they beat Everton 2-1 in first ever Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Liverpool captain rose above James Tarkowski to nod his side to victory in the most dramatic of endings as Arne Slot's big players stood up. Mohamed Salah had slotted the Reds in front in the first half only for Beto to find an equaliser early in the second.
David Moyes would have felt that was the least that his side deserved after a combative performance but the nightmare of derby defeat at their new home became reality when Dominik Szoboszlai swung in a corner that was met by Van Dijk for a stunning final word.
The win takes Liverpool seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with five games to play as they take a big step towards Champions League qualification next season. Moyes' men miss the chance to go sixth and remain tenth in the Premier League table.
Everton started the 248th Merseyside derby - but the first at this stadium - with real purpose, Beto twice coming close to the breakthrough. He was denied first by Giorgi Mamardashvili and then by his own poor finishing. It was the flag that did for Ndiaye.
It needed a VAR check to spot that Jake O'Brien was offside in the build-up. Everton fans were still coming to terms with that disappointment when Salah confirmed himself as the true scorer of the first derby goal here, latching onto Cody Gakpo's gorgeous pass.
Salah has endured a difficult final season in a Liverpool shirt but he has left the fans with a memory to cherish by etching his name into the history of the derby once more, the Egyptian stepping up even as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz struggled around him.
Crucially, however, Beto was not done. Everton upped the tempo again in the second half, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's inviting cross being seized upon by the big striker for the equaliser. He looked so much sharper than Isak throughout and finally got his reward.
But there was a sting for Everton. A game that began with Salah scoring the first Merseyside derby goal at this new stadium ended with Van Dijk scoring its first winner. The two Liverpool icons stole the show, much to the joy of the away supporters.
Your Site' Jamie Carragher at Hill Dickinson Stadium:
"The result is absolutely huge for Liverpool when you consider the Chelsea result yesterday.
"When that board went up for 11 minutes, I'd have shaken with anyone and taken a point from a Liverpool point of view.
"With the situation with the goalkeeper, Everton were a little bit more threatening. Liverpool were a small team towards the end of that game and I was fearful of set-pieces.
"When you think of how Liverpool have won this game - two of the absolute legends of the club have done it. They won't be here much longer. Salah and probably Van Dijk in 12 months' time.
"Two of the absolute greats. Salah has done it again against Liverpool's biggest rivals, as he always does. Against Everton or Man Utd, you can always rely upon him."
Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah speaking to Your Site:
"It feels great. The most important thing was to help the team to settle down and feel more confident.
"We knew before the game it was going to be tricky, it was going to be difficult and I'm glad we managed to win.
"I just want to keep scoring and help the team to the Champions League. Hopefully I can say farewell in the right way."
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaking to Your Site:
"Today it was massive in the situation we are in, where we are in the hunt for the Champions League spots.
"That's definitely not Liverpool-worthy in my opinion, but it is the reality and it was important we got the win today and 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 and we are very disappointed as a whole for the season we are having because, with the quality we have, it's below standards.
"But we have to keep fighting, keep going and make the best out of this difficult season we are having. That's the reality, but onto the next."
Everton boss David Moyes speaking in the press conference:
"We did not deserve the outcome we got. Football can be cruel sometimes. You have to bounce back from adversity.
Asked if this will affect his team, Moyes added:
"I don't think it will. The players have been told that I thought they did a great job. There were periods when Liverpool had control but we had big periods of control, especially in the first 20 mins. I don't think we offered Liverpool too many chance in the whole game. The players did a good job."
Mamardashvili was injured as Beto scored Everton's equaliser, colliding with the striker near the line. The goalkeeper had to be replaced by Freddie Woodman. "Giorgi had to go to hospital with a big wound so let's see how he will be," said Slot afterwards.
The Liverpool boss made light of his team's injury issues this season when speaking in the press conference. "If you are playing in the under-8s of Liverpool, you should be ready to make your debut because it is unbelievable what is happening to us."
Jarrad Branthwaite went off injured late in the game for the home side, replaced by Michael Keane. Moyes was not able to confirm the details of his problem but conceded that losing the defender was a concern. "I am worried," he revealed.
