Liverpool 2-1 Everton: Arne Slot’s Reds Extend Perfect Premier League Run with Derby Drama

Match Report: Liverpool 2-1 Everton

Premier League – Anfield, 20 September 2025

Liverpool reinforced their perfect start to the 2025-26 Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over local rivals Everton in a tense Merseyside derby at Anfield. Manager Arne Slot’s side extended their 100% record, but not before Everton made the final stages nervy. The match, played under the weight of derby expectations, delivered early goals, shifting momentum, tactical intrigue, and late pressure—ultimately won by Liverpool’s composure.

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First Half: Fast Start Sets the Tone

From the opening whistle, Liverpool showed urgency. In the 10th minute, Ryan Gravenberch broke the deadlock with a technically brilliant finish. Mohamed Salah delivered a crisp over-the-top ball into the area; Gravenberch allowed it to bounce, then hooked it over Jordan Pickford. It was a confidence-boosting goal for the Dutch midfielder, many of whom had noted his comparatively low goal tally last season.

Liverpool didn’t sit back. Instead, they doubled the lead in the 29th minute. After clever build-up play, Gravenberch again involved himself high up the pitch—this time creating the chance for Hugo Ekitiké with a neatly timed through-pass. Ekitiké slotted it past Pickford, making it 2-0 and giving Liverpool control.

By half-time, Anfield was alive with expectation but also a sense of caution. Everton had been largely quiet in attack, struggling to break Liverpool’s early rhythm. Slot’s side looked balanced; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai combining in the midfield, Ekitiké offering a focal point, and full-backs supporting without over-committing.

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Second Half: Everton Fight Back, Liverpool Weather Storm

Everton emerged from the break visibly more determined. Manager David Moyes made adjustments, pushing the flanks and trying to exploit spaces behind Liverpool’s advancing full-backs. Their persistence paid off in the 58th minute, when Idrissa Gueye hammered home a well-worked chance. Iliman Ndiaye had laid the ball into the path of Gueye following a quality cross from Jack Grealish—and it was all square-ish in terms of belief.

Once Everton had a foothold, the momentum shifted. Grealish in particular grew into the game, offering creativity and causing problems down the wing. Liverpool, for their part, appeared to run out of energy in certain spells—Slot’s half-time fitness calls and substitutions became more frequent as Everton pressed.

The final third of the match was tense. Everton threw everything forward, searching for an equaliser. But despite several promising forays, they lacked that final precision. Liverpool defended resolutely, absorbing pressure, making key interceptions and blocks. In the end, they held on.

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Key Performers and Tactical Notes

Ryan Gravenberch was arguably the star of the game: scoring the opener, creating the second, covering in midfield. His goal came at just the right moment to set the tone.

Hugo Ekitiké continues to impress, showing composure, movement, and goal-instinct. His fourth goal of the season — and under derby pressure, no less — cements his current status.

Idrissa Gueye offered Everton hope. His strike was emphatic, and the timing—after Everton’s early subdued spell—gave the visitors a real chance. Grealish and Ndiaye also had good spells.

Defensively, Liverpool had moments of instability—particularly when chasing the game—but showed character in organisation, especially under pressure. Everton’s intensity, while promising, lacked clinical edge in final passes and finishing.

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Aftermath & What It Means

Liverpool now sit on five wins from five in the Premier League, having extended their perfect record. The victory reaffirms early-season optimism under Arne Slot. The grit shown in the second half will become increasingly valuable as tougher fixtures loom.

Everton, meanwhile, leave with plenty to ponder. The slow start cost them dearly; they found life easier after the break but couldn’t replicate their best from that period earlier in the match. Nonetheless, the team showed fight, and there are signs that Moyes’ tactical tweaks and reliance on creative players like Grealish might yield dividends if consistency improves.

The derby continues to be a pressure cooker—crowd, expectations, momentum swings. For Liverpool, managing energy, injuries, and rotation will be vital to maintain this hot streak. For Everton, building belief in the early phases of big matches will be the challenge.

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Verdict

“Liverpool 2-1 Everton” may read like a narrow win, but it’s another statement from the champions. With early goals from Gravenberch and Ekitiké, they established control, weathered the storm, and held off Everton’s resurgence. It wasn’t pretty in the end, and the tension of a derby never lets any side rest easy, but Slot’s men did what champions do: grind out results.

For Everton, this was a reminder that belief and structure matter—but starts are just as important. Allowing Liverpool to lead by two in the first half at Anfield invited the pressure and frustration that followed.

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What to Watch Next

Can Everton build on their second half and find sharper consistency, especially in the opening 30 minutes of matches?

How will Liverpool manage the physical toll of their attacking style and early fixture congestion? Will squad depth be tested—and will Ekitiké remain the first name in attack over others like Alexander Isak?

The psychological sign of maintaining 100%—how much does this win add to Liverpool’s confidence, especially in a season where every point feels earned?

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This result keeps Liverpool at the summit—for now, perfection intact. But in the Premier League, a single slip can shift momentum. For Everton, there’s promise, but to truly challenge, they’ll need to start faster and finish stronger. The Merseyside derby has delivered once again—glory for the Reds, lessons for the Blues.