Slot hails Liverpool mentality after last-gasp derby winner

TL;DR

Liverpool secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Everton with a last-minute goal from Virgil Van Dijk, boosting their Champions League hopes. Manager Arne Slot praised the team's mentality despite a challenging season.

Key points

Liverpool defeated Everton 2-1 in a dramatic derby.
Virgil Van Dijk scored the winning goal in the 100th minute.
Liverpool is now seven points ahead of Chelsea in the league standings.

LiverpoolEvertonParis Saint-Germain

Liverpool celebrate their 2-1 win at Everton (Paul ELLIS) (Paul ELLIS/AFP/AFP) Arne Slot praised the mentality of his Liverpool team after they grabbed a last-gasp winner against Everton on Sunday to close in on a Champions League qualification spot. The Reds started their Premier League title defence strongly but collapsed from late September and will finish the season trophyless. However, wins against Fulham and Everton have taken fifth-placed Liverpool seven points clear of Chelsea, with the top five sides guaranteed Champions League football next season. Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead in the first derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, only for Beto to level after half-time. But captain Virgil Van Dijk scored with a header in the 100th minute to seal all three points for Liverpool. Match-winmner Van Dijk admitted after the game that the season had not been good enough by Liverpool's standards. "We haven't felt a lot of joy this season, yet," said Liverpool boss Slot. "I completely agree with Virgil this season has not been of our standards." He added: "Going out in the quarter-final of the FA Cup and the Champions League against, from open play, the two best teams in the world, with two great managers, with unlimited resources, that can happen, let's put it that way. "But in the league, of course, we are far from where we want to be but we have to accept that situation because we've dropped so many points after playing in Europe. "That's why it's also 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 from a set piece, which you maybe would expect them to score from, but we did." Slot said goalkeeper , in for the injured , had been been taken to hospital with a "big wound" as Everton scored their equaliser. He was replaced by . "Freddie deserves a lot of credit because if you have to come in just after conceding the 1-1 and the fans were ready for it, but he did his job really well," Slot said. The Dutchman bemoaned his team's ill luck with injuries this season. Forward suffered a long-term Achilles injury during last week's Champions League loss to , adding his name to the list. "Usually third goalkeepers don't play a lot," said Slot. "But in a season like ours, I think if you are playing at the moment in the under-8s of Liverpool, you should be ready for making your debut because it's unbelievable what's happening to us." jw/iwd

Q&A

What was the final score of the Liverpool vs Everton derby?

Liverpool won the derby against Everton with a final score of 2-1.

How did Liverpool's win impact their Champions League qualification chances?

The victory put Liverpool seven points clear of Chelsea, enhancing their chances for Champions League qualification next season.

What injuries did Liverpool face during the match against Everton?

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was taken to the hospital with a significant injury, and forward Hugo Ekitike is out with a long-term Achilles injury.