Liverpool edge Everton 2-1 as Ekitike makes immediate impact in Merseyside derby

Liverpool claimed the bragging rights in the Merseyside derby with a 2-1 win over Everton, keeping their unbeaten start intact and sitting top of the Premier League heading into the weekend. In a first half shaped by pace and precision, Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring before Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead, with Idrissa Gueye pulling a late lifeline for the visitors as the match swung into a tense second period. An Everton side anchored by a high-profile recruitment drive pressed for parity, but a late surge could not overturn the Dutch champions.

Ekitike’s goal arrived in the finish of a move that showcased his all‑round ability: a cool finish through Jordan Pickford’s legs after a clean lift of his technique, a moment that underscored why Liverpool paid a reported £79 million to bring the French forward to Anfield. He has quickly formed a productive partnership with the team’s front line, and his performances have drawn attention for a blend of hold‑up play, link‑up with midfield, and willingness to run beyond the striker’s traditional role. Slot praised the arrival as part of a two No 9 approach that mirrors the modern Premier League’s emphasis on depth and interchangeable attacking options, noting that teams at the top often employ two players capable of delivering at the highest level. The performance came despite Ekitike not yet being fully integrated into a demanding schedule, with Slot explaining that a top side typically has two high-caliber No 9s and that the squad must balance rest with impact.

Ryan Gravenberch, meanwhile, continued his rapid acclimatization to Merseyside football, arriving into the box at pace and finishing with composure to register his first goals since arriving from Bayern Munich. In his public remarks, Slot highlighted the complexity of elevating a player who already has the ball-pressing and passing acumen of a top player, noting that the team around him must create the right spaces for him to exploit offensively. Gravenberch’s blend of passing range and late runs is part of Slot’s broader vision for a side that can dominate possession and convert chances in the most demanding periods of a match. The midfielder himself has spoken about modeling parts of his game on Zidane, and his impact in these early weeks has reinforced why the club were prepared to invest heavily to secure his services. The goal also reflected Liverpool’s willingness to press through the middle, pressuring opponents high up the pitch and then quickly turning defense into fast-break opportunities.

Everton’s night was defined by an extended struggle to translate talent into goals. Moyes has a well-stocked midfield and attack on paper, with the likes of Jack Grealish-inspired creative spark in the lineup, but the lack of a reliable marksman in the final third remains a defining issue. Beto started and looked off the pace at times, while Thierno Barry—still adapting to the intensity of English football—also failed to consistently threaten. The stark contrast between Everton’s recruitment and its results underlined a wider challenge for Moyes: closing the gap to the city rivals requires not just money but clinical conversion in the box. The discussion around striker recruitment intensified given the presence of expensive bench options elsewhere in the league, though Liverpool’s efficiency on the day underscored the gulf in where each club stands.

Conor Bradley’s disciplined effort against Grealish helped mitigate one of Everton’s main threats on the flank, and Milos Kerkez delivered a steadier performance at left back after a previous irregular run of appearances. The dynamic on the other side—where Liverpool’s full-backs can become key creators—continued to be a source of momentum for Slot’s side, with the midfield acting as the engine room to sustain a high-pressing approach that has become a hallmark of Liverpool’s early-season form.

The result leaves Liverpool with five wins from five and a virtually assured spot atop the table as the weekend arrives, a sign that the squad is adapting quickly to Slot’s system and the demands of a busy fixture schedule. For Everton, the loss compounds a set of ongoing issues in attack and efficiency in front of goal, increasing the urgency of finding a reliable 9 and a steady supply line that can translate moments of promise into consistent results. As the season progresses, both clubs will be tasked with refining their approaches: Liverpool to maintain momentum and depth across multiple competitions, and Everton to translate talent into decisive, points-producing performances at a higher tempo than they have shown so far. The derby showcased the best and most immediate payoff of those adjustments, with Liverpool’s efficiency and Ekitike’s early impact providing the headline while the underlying tactical shifts offered a clear path forward for both teams.