Liverpool made it five wins from five in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton at Anfield, holding off a second-half comeback to maintain their place at the top of the table.
From kick-off, the Reds looked the likelier side. In the 10th minute, Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring with a fine finish. Taking a ball lofted over the top by Mohamed Salah, he met it on the bounce and hooked it past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with composure.
Liverpool doubled their lead in the 29th minute. This time, Hugo Ekitike got on the end of Gravenberch’s pass, took one touch, and slotted the ball through Pickford’s legs. It was Ekitike’s chance to show what he can offer, starting ahead of fellow summer signing Alexander Isak.
Everton, though sluggish early on, came out more determined after half-time. In the 58th minute Idrissa Gana Gueye pulled one back. The goal came after some good build-up work: Iliman Ndiaye cut back a cross from Jack Grealish, and Gueye lashed a shot into the far corner.
The final half hour saw Everton push hard, in rain-soaked conditions, looking for the equaliser. They had chances and the momentum felt like it might swing in their favour. But Liverpool defended doggedly, limiting Everton clear looks and holding on under pressure.
Manager Arne Slot praised his squad’s fight, especially given the demanding run of fixtures. He made use of his squad, keeping players fresh and defending well when needed. Also noted was Gravenberch’s influence, not just in scoring but in creating for others.
For Everton, there were positives in their second-half display. Grealish again showed good creativity, and Gueye was alert to score when the opportunity arose. But the early deficit proved costly. They dropped to seventh in the table after their second league loss.
What this win means going forward
- Liverpool remain perfect to start the season and reinforce their control at the top. This derby win adds confidence especially ahead of a packed fixture list.
- Everton will need to correct their slow starts; falling two goals behind early made the game harder than it needed to be. Their resilience in the second half gives something to build on.
5 comments
This was an intense match! Liverpool showed their strength with those early goals, but Everton’s fight in the second half was impressive. It’s a tough lesson for the Toffees about starting faster, but they’ve got heart. Great game!baseketball
This was an exciting match! Liverpools resilience was impressive, but Everton showed great fight in the second half. Its a tough lesson for them about starting strong, but credit to Gueye for scoring. A thrilling contest with plenty of drama!crazy cattle 3d unblocked
This was an exciting read! The detailed account of Liverpools victory and Evertons fightback really brought the game to life. Great insights into both teams performances and strategies.unlock football bros
Great read! The article captures the intensity of the match and Liverpools dominance. It’s clear how crucial early goals were for Liverpool. Everton’s fight in the second half was inspiring, though. Shows how these games can turn.basketball legends basketball legends
Wow, what a game! Liverpool really brought the heat, but Everton gave them a run for their money in the second half. Good to see Gravenberch making an impact. Intense derby!