Liverpool continued their flawless start to the new Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield. The win, their fifth in a row, kept Arne Slot’s side at the top of the table and extended their dominance in one of England’s most fiercely contested fixtures.
The hosts made a strong start, quickly settling into rhythm and asserting control in midfield. Their early pressure paid off in the 10th minute when Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring. The Dutch midfielder latched onto a precise pass from Mohamed Salah before calmly finishing past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to give Liverpool the lead.
Everton struggled to contain Liverpool’s attacking movement, and their defense was breached again before halftime. New signing Hugo Ekitiké showed composure beyond his years, racing onto a through ball and slotting it neatly into the far corner to double the Reds’ advantage. With the Anfield crowd in full voice, Liverpool looked set for a comfortable afternoon.
However, the visitors returned from the break with renewed determination. Everton manager David Moyes made tactical adjustments, pushing his side higher up the pitch and bringing more energy into midfield. Their persistence paid off when Idrissa Gueye pulled one back. The Senegalese international capitalized on a well-worked move involving Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish, firing past Alisson Becker to make it 2-1.
The goal injected belief into Everton, who pressed harder in search of an equalizer. Ndiaye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both came close, while Grealish continued to cause problems on the left flank. Alisson was called into action several times, making crucial saves to preserve Liverpool’s narrow advantage.
Despite the late pressure, Liverpool’s defense, marshaled by Virgil van Dijk, stood firm. The home side also had chances to extend their lead on the counterattack, with Salah forcing Pickford into a fine save late on. In the end, Liverpool held on to secure all three points, though not without a few nervy moments.
Speaking after the match, manager Arne Slot praised his team’s strong first-half performance but admitted that lapses in concentration allowed Everton back into the contest. “We started very well, created chances, and scored twice, but in the second half we gave them too much space. That is something we must improve,” he said.
Everton boss David Moyes, meanwhile, was encouraged by his team’s response after a difficult first half. “I thought the players showed real character to get back into the game. We created opportunities and could have equalized, but against a team of Liverpool’s quality, you have to take your chances,” he remarked.
The result keeps Liverpool’s perfect record intact, cementing their place at the top of the league table. For Everton, the narrow defeat was a reminder of the work still to be done but also a sign of promise as they look to build consistency in the weeks ahead.
IMAGE FILE FROM METRO
