Arne Slot sings Liverpool’s praises after ‘mentality’ win in Merseyside derby

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hailed his team’s character after Virgil van Dyk’s stoppage time winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

Slot has been under increasing pressure after his team’s failings in the League, and also their UEFA Champions League quarter-final exit to Paris St Germain last week.

But the Dutchman could finally breathe a sigh of relief when his club captain headed home in the 100th minute to give Liverpool a first derby win at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

“Today the players showed what it means to represent this club,” Slot said. “The fans were, as they have been throughout the whole season, a big support for us.

“To beat Everton in their first game in their new stadium after the week we had is an enormous compliment to everybody involved in Liverpool FC.

“I don’t think we’ve had a lot of big moments this season. We haven’t felt a lot of joy this season yet. … Going out in the quarter-final of the FA Cup and Champions League against the two best teams in the world from open play, with two great managers and unlimited resources, can happen, let’s put it this way. 

100th minute. Level on derby day…

Step forward the skipper ✊🔴 pic.twitter.com/jTW0z6g5np

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 19, 2026

“But in the league we are far from where we want to be. It’s nice now after a game in Europe not to concede in the last minute but to score after a game in Europe the winner in extra time, and from a set piece. You maybe would expect them to score from one, but we did.”

Liverpool suffered a spate of injuries during the game, most notably to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who needed to be rushed to hospital after a collision with Everton goalscorer Beto.

“It’s an unbelievable compliment to these players because we have played five games in 15 days with mainly the same players,” Slot said.

“We had to finish the game without a right-back and started without one – by the way, Curtis did really well – with our third goalkeeper [Freddie Woodman] and a No 9 who has played there in the past but is usually known as a right-winger [Mohamed Salah]. To show what they showed is a big, big compliment to the mentality of this team.”

Liverpool’s departing Mohamed Salah scored the first goal in the 2-1 victory.