Liverpool

FA Cup wins for Liverpool and Man U

Virgil van Dijk made a dream start to his Anfield career, scoring the winning goal on his debut for Liverpool, as they beat city rivals Everton 2-1.

The Dutchman, signed last week from Southampton for a reported fee of 75 million pounds ($101.7 million), rose inside the area to head home an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain corner in the 84th minute of what had been a pulsating Merseyside derby.

Liverpool looked to have been frustrated after Gylfi Sigurdsson brought Everton level in the 67th minute after a brilliant counter-attack from Sam Allardyce's side.

Liverpool and United victorious

With Chelsea and table-topping Manchester City playing later in the week, Liverpool registered their second win in 48 hours after the Estonian popped up with his first league goal.

On the blue half of Merseyside, Manchester United climbed back up to second in the table after second-half goals by Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard earned a 2-0 victory at Everton -- their first win in five games in all competitions.

Arsenal and Liverpool share spoils in six-goal thriller

In disarray for 45 minutes and behind to a rare headed goal by Philippe Coutinho, Arsenal were in danger of suffering a pre-Christmas nightmare on Saturday (NZ time) when Mohamed Salah raced away to put a rampant Liverpool 2-0 ahead in the 52nd minute with his 15th league goal of the season.

But the hosts suddenly came alive and, unbelievably, they were ahead by the 58th minute with goals from Alexis Sanchez, Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil turning the game upside down.

Liverpool make it into the last 16

They were joined in the last 16 by Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto on the final matchday of the group stage.

A first Reds hat-trick from Philippe Coutinho, a brace from Sadio Mande and singles from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah at Anfield ensured Liverpool topped Group E.

It means for the first time there are five EPL clubs in the last 16.

Sevilla drew 1-1 at eliminated Maribor to go through second ahead of Spartak.

Shakhtar defeated Group F winners Manchester City 2-1 to secure second place, with first-half goals by Brazilians Bernard and Ismaily.

West Ham 1 Liverpool 4

Saturday's dismal defeat leaves the Hammers languishing a point and a place above the bottom three and the London Stadium crowd let their feelings be known at both half-time and the final whistle.

Salah opened the scoring in the 21st minute as he and the returning Sadio Mane, making his first start in a month, embarked on a devastating counter from a West Ham corner, 13 seconds elapsing between the taking of the set-piece and the ball nestling in Joe Hart's net.

Henderson hails Liverpool 'heart'

Goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge gave Jurgen Klopp's side a stunning and fully deserved victory in Sunday's clash.

The Gunners, who have now lost by four or more goals on four occasions away to Liverpool in the Premier League, failed to register a shot on target in what was a listless performance that prompted some travelling fans to call once again for manager Arsene Wenger's sacking.

Speaking afterwards, Henderson appeared to underline the difference between the teams when he highlighted the importance of Liverpool's work rate.

Klopp: Liverpool will sign quality

Liverpool have been ravaged by injuries in the Premier League this season, with stars Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Jordon Henderson and Joel Matip all spending time on the sidelines.

Klopp has lamented the number of injuries in 2016-17 and the German manager knows Liverpool must be active in the transfer market as they juggle the addition of another tournament – the Merseyside club currently occupying the fourth and final Champions League qualifying berth heading into the final game of the season.

Manchester City and Liverpool draw

City, in third place, stayed a point ahead of the Merseysiders with a game in hand thanks to Sergio Aguero's equalising goal.

Knocked out of the Champions League by Monaco in midweek, City fell behind when full back Gael Clichy conceded a penalty six minutes after halftime and James Milner scored from the spot against his old club.

Liverpool, who had come into the game more after a slow start, were pegged back 18 minutes later when Aguero scored from Kevin de Bruyne's fine low cross.

Joost van der Westhuizen's young son posts emotional tribute to late father.

Jordan's tribute, which includes drawings, has proven a hit on social media as Springbok great Van der Westhuizen's death last week from motor neurone disease continues to make headlines.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld, who now plays in South Africa, posted it on Twitter, clearly touched by the 13-year-old's love for his father and the famous football club.

Chelsea held at Anfield

Spain striker Costa was denied by Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet, who made amends for being caught off guard by a superb David Luiz free kick midway through the first half.

Georginio Wijnaldum's close-range header levelled the scores in the 57th minute as Liverpool avoided a fourth consecutive home defeat in all competitions although Juergen Klopp's side remain 10 points adrift in fourth place.

Arsenal, who began the day second, suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat by Watford who managed a first league win in eight games.