On paper, Liverpool have achieved a perfect start with five wins from five Premier League games, keeping them at the top of the table, though they haven’t yet hit their best form. Their Merseyside derby win over Everton lacked the late drama often seen in these clashes, and instead they had to hold on to secure the points.
After a dominant first half in which Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitiké gave the champions a two-goal lead, Everton woke up and pulled one back through Idrissa Gueye. From that point, the visitors were the better side, causing Liverpool plenty of trouble, but David Moyes left Anfield for the 21st time without a Premier League win.
Everton set up cautiously, packing their defence whenever Liverpool had the ball. Moyes’s pragmatic plan aimed to frustrate the league leaders, but Liverpool took advantage of their deep-lying opponents, controlling possession. An early goal felt inevitable, and it arrived within 10 minutes when Gravenberch broke through the defence to meet a bouncing cross from Mohamed Salah, expertly hooking it past Jordan Pickford.
Everton showed glimpses of promise in their attempts to get back into the game. Playing directly, Beto troubled Liverpool’s centre-backs, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fired wide after a neat exchange with Jack Grealish, but such chances must be taken at Anfield.
Ekitiké soon underlined that point. Gravenberch’s composure has been key to Liverpool’s success this season. Just as for his own goal, a precise pass from the Dutchman exploited a gap between Everton’s left centre-back and full-back, which Ekitiké latched onto and slotted under Pickford.
Liverpool have had two-goal leads before this season and made things difficult for themselves, but with Gravenberch controlling the game, Everton struggled to mount a sustained comeback. Beto fired a cross from Iliman Ndiaye wide, and though the Toffees pushed their wingers forward to pressure Liverpool’s full-backs, the hosts remained comfortable.
Reunited in midfield with Premier League-winning duo Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for the first time this season—with Florian Wirtz on the bench—Gravenberch and his partners demonstrated the understanding they’ve built over time. They know each other’s movements and when to make runs, something Wirtz is still adapting to. The Dutchman is one of England’s most efficient passers, keeping Liverpool moving forward while also contributing defensively to disrupt opponents.
In the second half, Everton brought on Thierno Barry for Beto and returned to the more expansive style they had shown earlier in the season. Finding a way back against a team of Liverpool’s quality is always tough, and pushing to reduce the deficit opened up the game, surprisingly to Everton’s advantage.
Liverpool’s vulnerability at full-back was exposed again as Grealish easily got past Conor Bradley before chipping a cross to the back post for the unmarked Ndiaye, who laid it off.Gueye fired the ball into the net with a thunderous strike, leaving Alisson no time to react. Everton found hope, while Liverpool faced more doubts about their ability to protect a lead.
With 24 minutes remaining, Alexander Isak was brought on for his Premier League debut as Slot looked for another goal to secure the result. Just as against Atlético Madrid, nerves grew at Anfield, with defensive frailties becoming a growing concern. Grealish continued to test Bradley, aiming to repeat his earlier success, while Ndiaye became more direct in his runs, forcing Liverpool to retreat.
Liverpool conceded unnecessary fouls, struggling to contain Grealish’s dribbling. The Everton winger showcased the energy and ball control that made him so effective at Manchester City. Everton dominated the attacking play, and though Liverpool creaked under pressure, they managed to hold on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the topic designed to be clear and helpful for fans of all knowledge levels
General Beginner Questions
Q Who are Gravenberch and Ekitiké
A Ryan Gravenberch is a Dutch midfielder who recently signed for Liverpool Hugo Ekitiké is a French striker who was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool but ultimately did not join the club
Q What is this perfect record against Everton
A It refers to Liverpool winning both Premier League matches against their rivals Everton in the 202324 season
Q Did Gravenberch and Ekitiké play in the match against Everton
A Ryan Gravenberch did feature as a substitute in the most recent Merseyside derby Hugo Ekitiké not being a Liverpool player did not play
Q So why are they mentioned together in headlines
A They are often mentioned together because they were two highprofile young attacking players Liverpool was interested in signing during the same summer transfer window Gravenberch joined while the deal for Ekitiké fell through
Advanced Detailed Questions
Q How did Ryan Gravenberch perform after joining Liverpool
A He had a strong start showing his technical quality driving runs from midfield and quickly adapting to the pace of the Premier League He became an important part of the squads rotation
Q Why did Liverpools pursuit of Hugo Ekitiké not work out
A Reports suggested the deal collapsed due to complications with the players representatives and his personal terms not an issue with the transfer fee between the clubs
Q What specific qualities does Gravenberch bring to Liverpools midfield
A He adds muchneeded physicality ballcarrying ability and progressive passing He helps Liverpool transition the ball from defense to attack more quickly and effectively
Q With the perfect record against Everton where did this leave Liverpool in the title race
A Winning both derbies is crucial as they are sixpoint swing games Taking maximum points from a direct rival helps maintain momentum and keeps pressure on other teams at the top of the table
