Everton man 'lost for words' after Liverpool's dramatic winner in historic derby

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Everton was seconds away from a stunning comeback draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby before Virgil van Dijk's stoppage-time winner broke Blues hearts

Everton came up short against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Jake O'Brien admitted he was "lost for words" following Everton's stoppage-time defeat to Liverpool.

The center-back believed the Blues had outperformed their rivals and was left shattered by Virgil van Dijk's 100th-minute winner for Liverpool, a devastating conclusion to a match in which Everton endured numerous setbacks.

Beto had drawn the sides level earlier in the second half after Mohamed Salah broke the deadlock just moments after Iliman Ndiaye had a strike ruled out for offside. Jarrad Branthwaite was carried off on a stretcher while David Moyes was insistent that Everton should have been awarded a penalty when Curtis Jones brought down Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Speaking to Sky Sports following the final whistle, O'Brien said: "[I'm] lost for words really, I thought we played well for the majority of the game and had the better chances... Then let ourselves down with a poor goal at the end.

"It's not a result that reflects the game, I don't think.

"Coming into a game like this is huge. Moments in a game can go for or against you, but we stayed in it. Moments can be capitalized on, and they scored a goal at the end that was really poor.

Virgil van Dijk's goal proved to be the difference(Image: Getty Images)

"I think we played well and the atmosphere was really good. It was a small moment that let us down.

"I think we were the better team on the day."

The defeat left Everton sitting 10th, yet just a single point adrift of sixth-placed Chelsea with five matches remaining.

Sunday's game was historic, as it was the first Merseyside derby to be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

"I thought the players played great today; they didn't get the result they deserved," Moyes told Sky Sports at full-time.

"We deserved more from it than we did. They did a great job. Disappointed with the last goal, but in the main, the players did a brilliant job."

Moyes added: "There's no shame in how we performed today, we're playing against one of the teams in the league who expect to be challenging for Champions League and trophies.

"I think we gave them a good run for their money. I want this team to always be competitive. They didn't have it their own way."