Liverpool managed to steal a win in the dying seconds of this Merseyside derby, after Everton had put in a display which deserved the point they very nearly secured.

A game which lacked quality in attacking areas and a clinical edge in front of goal was finished off with an added-time game-winner which was almost comical.

Divock Origi, making his first appearance in the Premier League this season, replaced Roberto Firmino with six minutes of normal time to go. He missed one good chance shortly after his arrival, hitting the bar from close-range, but was able to bundle home a extraordinary winner at the end of four minutes of added time.

Liverpool were awarded a free-kick around the halfway line, which Trent Alexander-Arnold looked ready to take, but in order to steal a few more yards, goalkeeper Alisson sprinted from his area to take the free-kick, nudging the ball forward and to give the full-back a better angle for his ball in.

After a half-clearance from Yerry Mina, the ball fell to Virgil van Dijk who sliced the ball into the air with the biggest of mis-kicks.

But as it fell from the sky towards Jordan Pickford’s crossbar, the Everton keeper was unsure whether it would go out of play. He got a hand to the ball, which then bobbled along the crossbar before falling to Origi who sent it into the net with a combination of head and shoulder.

It sent Anfield wild and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate with Alisson. 

It had been an encouraging performance from Everton in a fixture they have struggled in, having not won here since 1999, and they will feel hard done to conceding in such a manner.

Prior to this madcap moment the game had served up an entertaining contest, but one in which both sides struggled to take the chances they worked hard to create.

Liverpool dominated possession but the bigger chances, especially in the first half, fell to Everton. 

Towering centre back Mina might have done better with an early opportunity from a Lucas Digne free-kick, but sent his effort wide.

Andre Gomes carved a space for Richarlison but the Brazilian lost his footing under pressure from Van Dijk, before Theo Walcott lost control of the ball in a challenge with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, after being put through on goal by Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The biggest chance fell to Gomes who managed to get something on Walcott's ball back across goal, only to see his point-blank header saved by Alisson. Gomes got something on the rebound as he fell to ground, but this second effort was cleared off the line by near-namesake Joe Gomez.

The home side also had opportunities, with Sadio Mane missing a couple and Xherdan Shaqiri forcing Pickford into a smart save.

Mohamed Salah was also trying his luck, firing just wide of Pickford's goal after being set up by Georginio Wijnaldum.

Ademola Lookman came on to provide some attacking spark for the visitors, teeing up Bernard after a mazy crossfield run, but again the shot was wide.

Chances continued to arrive, but none were taken, and when Origi struck the crossbar, 0-0 seemed like the only outcome. Home fans started to leave, but those who did make an early exit missed one of the craziest moments in Merseyside derby history.

Origi’s name was chanted around the ground as he came onto the pitch, which may seem strange for a striker who has only played 11 minutes so far this season, but he repaid the fans’ faith. He was in the right place at the right time, scoring in front of the Kop where the players and staff celebrated once the final whistle blew shortly after.

It was win-win for Liverpool. They were able to get one over on their local rivals in the unlikeliest of fashions, courtesy of the most unlikely of heroes, but also keep pace with Manchester City, remaining just two points behind the league leaders.