Liverpool made it five wins from five games in the Premier League with a tense 2–1 victory over Everton in a dramatic Merseyside derby at Anfield. The result keeps Arne Slot’s side six points clear at the top of the table and extends their flawless start to the new campaign.
The match began at a furious pace, with Liverpool quickly taking control of possession and pinning Everton back. Their early pressure paid off in the 10th minute when Ryan Gravenberch pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and lashed home a powerful strike, sending the Anfield crowd into a frenzy.
Rather than sit back, Liverpool pressed for a second goal and were rewarded before halftime. Hugo Ekitike, who has been growing into his role as Liverpool’s new forward, timed his run perfectly to finish from close range after Gravenberch’s clever through ball split Everton’s defence. At 2–0, the Reds looked comfortable and appeared on course for another routine derby win.
But Everton had other ideas after the break. David Moyes’ men came out with renewed energy and took the game to their rivals. Idrissa Gana Gueye halved the deficit in the 58th minute with a clinical finish that stunned the home crowd and gave Everton belief.
Liverpool suddenly looked vulnerable as Everton poured forward with renewed intensity, turning the once one-sided derby into a nerve-shredding contest. The visitors pressed high up the pitch and forced errors from Liverpool’s backline, creating a string of nervy moments for the home crowd. Alisson Becker was called into action twice in quick succession, first diving low to push away Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header, then reacting brilliantly to parry Dwight McNeil’s driven effort from the edge of the box.
With momentum swinging Everton’s way, Anfield fell almost silent, sensing that an equaliser was imminent. The Toffees pinned Liverpool back for a spell, winning second balls and flooding forward in search of a dramatic leveller. For a period, the derby seemed to teeter on the brink, and Liverpool’s perfect start to the season appeared under genuine threat.
Sensing the shift, Arne Slot acted decisively from the touchline. The Dutchman introduced record signing Alexander Isak to stretch Everton’s backline with fresh legs, while Wataru Endo came on to steady the midfield and slow the game’s frantic tempo. The double substitution brought an immediate impact, giving Liverpool more control in possession and forcing Everton to retreat deeper.
Even as Everton continued to threaten on the counter, Liverpool’s defence, marshalled by the imperious Virgil van Dijk, refused to crack. The Dutch captain cleared a dangerous cross in stoppage time and barked instructions to keep his backline organised during the nervy closing minutes.
When the final whistle blew, relief swept through Anfield. Liverpool had survived a late scare to claim all three points, keeping their flawless record intact with 15 points from five matches. The result means Slot’s side stay top of the table heading into a demanding run of fixtures, including a midweek Champions League clash.
For Everton, there will be frustration at leaving empty-handed despite a spirited second-half display that had Liverpool on the ropes. Their resilience and late rally may offer encouragement for the weeks ahead, but the blue half of Merseyside will feel this was a missed chance to spoil their rivals’ perfect start.
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