Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike on target to lift Liverpool over Everton in Merseyside derby | OneFootball

Liverpool saw off local rivals Everton to maintain their perfect start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign thanks to a 2-1 victory at Anfield.

The Reds wasted no time seizing control of proceedings and were rewarded in the 10th minute thanks to Ryan Gravenberch’s well-controlled finish after Mohamed Salah picked him out.

Going behind stirred a response from Everton as they slowly started to work their way back into the game.

The Toffees should have drawn level in the 27th minute when Jack Grealish slipped Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall through on goal, but he was unable to keep his effort on target.

Everton were made to pay just over 60 seconds later as Gravenberch turned provider for Hugo Ekitike to fire home his third league goal of the season through Jordan Pickford’s legs.

Beto cut a peripheral figure in the opening exchanges of the game before finally taking his first pop at goal, albeit posing little threat to Alisson.

Everton had a decent opportunity to halve the deficit with almost the last kick of the first half, but Idrissa Gueye failed to get any purchase on his effort from the edge of the box.

Liverpool started the second half aiming to regain the level of dominance they had in the opening exchanges of the contest.

However, Everton came out of the interval with the eagerness of a side aiming to bounce back from two goals down and pulled one back just shy of the hour mark.

Grealish’s delivery into the box was guided into Gueye’s path by compatriot Iliman Ndiaye, after which the midfielder produced a stunning strike to leave Alisson with no chance.

Aiming to restore their two-goal cushion, Liverpool sent on Florian Wirtz and then Alexander Isak shortly afterwards.

The Reds failed to muster any attacking momentum, and Everton remained alive in the game heading into the final stages.

Everton’s last attempt of the match came in the final minute of regulation time when Grealish sent an effort well over the bar.

While Liverpool’s display was far from pretty, they have now opened up a six-point advantage at the top of the standings.