The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was full of excitement, ending in a dramatic 2-2 draw between Everton and Liverpool. James Tarkowski’s last-minute goal in the 98th minute helped Everton secure a hard-fought point in a match that had everything—early goals, records being broken, and heated moments between players.
Fast Start and Salah’s New Record
Everton took the lead early when Beto scored in the 11th minute, firing the ball past Alisson to give the home fans a reason to cheer. But Liverpool answered quickly, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring a brilliant header in the 16th minute from a perfect Mohamed Salah cross.
Salah wasn’t done yet. In the 73rd minute, he put Liverpool ahead with his 22nd Premier League goal of the season. His assist earlier in the match also set a new record—he now has the most goal involvements in away matches in a single Premier League season, reaching 23.
Tarkowski Saves Everton in Added Time
Just when it looked like Liverpool would take all three points, Goodison Park erupted. In the 98th minute, James Tarkowski struck a powerful volley into the net, making Everton fans go wild. The late goal led to fans running onto the pitch, forcing police and security to step in.
Arne Slot’s Historic Team Selection and Red Card Drama
Liverpool manager Arne Slot made history by starting a team without a single English player in a top-flight match for the first time ever. However, he didn’t get to see the end of the match from the dugout, as he was shown a red card along with his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff.
Match Statistics
| Stat | Everton | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 36.8% | 63.2% |
| Duels success rate | 52.1% | 47.9% |
| Successful dribbles | 4 | 8 |
| Fouls won | 20 | 9 |
| Offsides | 3 | 2 |
| Corners awarded | 2 | 3 |
A Game to Remember
The last-ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park will be remembered for years. From Everton’s early goal to Salah’s record-breaking performance and Tarkowski’s last-second equalizer, the game had everything. With emotions running high, late drama, and history being made, this was a perfect farewell to Goodison Park’s derby legacy.
