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Virgil van Dijk scored a last-gasp winner against Everton on Sunday as Liverpool strengthened their push for a Champions League spot next season ahead of a Premier League summit meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal.
On a pivotal day in the English top division, fourth-placed Aston Villa squandered a two-goal lead against Sunderland but scored in stoppage time to win 4-3.
At the other end of the table, Morgan Gibbs-White netted a hat-trick as struggling Nottingham Forest came from behind against Burnley to win 4-1 and heap the pressure on troubled Tottenham.
Just a few weeks ago, the battle for the top five, which guarantees entry into the Champions League, looked as though it might be tight.
But fifth-placed Liverpool’s 2-1 victory in their first match at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium takes them seven points clear of stumbling Chelsea, in sixth spot.
Captain Van Dijk was the hero for Arne Slot’s Liverpool, heading Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner past a helpless Jordan Pickford in the 100th minute.
“Today was massive in the situation that we are, in hunt for the Champions League spots,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
“That is definitely not Liverpool-worthy, in my opinion, but it is the reality, and it was important we got the win. I’m glad we did.
“We’ve got five more games left (some) against teams that are also fighting for the Champions League spots. Every game is a big one.”
Mohamed Salah had opened the scoring for last season’s champions, slotting home in the first half following a superbly weighted pass from Cody Gakpo.
The goal came just two minutes after Iliman Ndiaye’s effort at the other end was canceled by VAR, with Jake O’Brien ruled offside.
Salah, departing at the end of the season, has equaled Steven Gerrard’s nine goals to become the joint top-scoring player in the Premier League fixture between the two Merseyside teams.
The goal took the wind out of the sails of David Moyes’ team, but they were level through Beto within 10 minutes of the restart.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, on the left of Everton’s attack, fired across goal for Beto to attack, and he poked home ahead of an onrushing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was immediately stretchered off, replaced by Freddie Woodman.
The game looked destined to end as a draw but the officials signalled 11 added minutes but Van Dijk had the last laugh.
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