Liverpool beat rivals Everton 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday to make it five wins out of five in the Premier League this season for the champions who stay perfect and sitting pretty at the top and six points clear before the rest of the weekend’s action Softfootball reports.
Liverpool took charge of the game early, scoring through an instinctive Ryan Gravenberch effort from Mohamed Salah’s majestic delivery in the 10th minute their earliest home goal since September 2023.
Ekitike added the second from Gravenberch’s pass to demonstrate what he offers in the central striking role, irrespective of the arrival of British record signing Isak.
The France international is a natural finisher, and while Slot has suggested he could play off the left-flank, the £70m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt is making a powerful case to be used through the centre on a regular basis.
Liverpool showed the strength of their squad by leaving Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, two summer signings worth a combined total of £241m, on the bench until the second half.
Everton improved as the game went on, pulling a goal back after 58 minutes when Jack Grealish’s cross found Iliman Ndiaye at the far post and he set up Idrissa Gueye for a powerful rising drive that left Liverpool keeper Alisson helpless.
Arne Slot side continued their relentless winning form with this Merseyside derby win, and once again the signs were clear for those hoping to take the Premier League title away from Anfield, and the Reds are showing off their goal scorers on their X account following the showdown.
It may seem as though Liverpool did not shine as expected in the derby, but they got the job done, and did it without Wirtz and Isak in their starting line-up. In their place was a duo who have been outstanding in the opening weeks of the season, and they stepped up to punish Everton in an early phase of Liverpool domination.
Everton pushed hard but Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League as they managed the game well in the final minutes, limiting the Toffees to half chances.
Grealish was once again a major source of creativity, along with Ndiaye, but this Everton team has a very obvious Achilles heel for all the improvements made elsewhere. Everton manager David Moyes is now without victory in 23 visits to Anfield.
Arne Slot’s side started the game in impressive fashion and deservedly went two goals up. But the Dutchman will be disappointed with how his team conceded again and still seemed to be in the changing room for a big chunk of the second period.
