Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Sep 20: Liverpool continued their dominant run in the Premier League with a gritty 2-1 victory over city rivals Everton at Anfield on Saturday, making it five wins in five matches as they defend their title under new manager Arne Slot.
The Reds wasted no time asserting themselves in the Merseyside derby, with Ryan Gravenberch breaking the deadlock just 10 minutes in. The Dutch midfielder latched onto a crisp Mohamed Salah pass and calmly slotted it past Jordan Pickford. Gravenberch wasn’t done yet — by the 28th minute, he turned creator, threading a slick ball through to Hugo Ekitike, who finished smartly with a low strike into the corner.
Despite Liverpool’s fast start, Everton clawed their way back into the game after halftime. In the 58th minute, Jack Grealish swung a dangerous cross to the far post, where Iliman Ndiaye cushioned it into the path of Idrissa Gueye. The midfielder rifled a rising shot past Alisson to give the Toffees hope.
The remainder of the match saw Everton pushing hard for an equaliser, but Liverpool’s defence held firm under pressure. The tense closing stages showcased Liverpool’s composure and resilience, ultimately sealing another three points in their title defence.
Interestingly, £241 million worth of summer signings — Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak — only made appearances in the second half, underlining Liverpool’s bench strength. Manager Arne Slot praised his squad depth and the importance of rotation during this congested stretch of fixtures.
"This is why clubs competing in Europe need strong squads," Slot said post-match. "We've had our share of challenges — Isak only just returned to training, Mac Allister’s been out — but the players stepped up. Virgil, Ibou, Mo, Ryan, and Dom have played three full games this week, and their performance levels remain elite."
With a packed schedule across multiple competitions, Liverpool's unbeaten streak and squad management offer early signs of a team ready to challenge on all fronts once again.