The Reds’ propensity for yielding goals after attaining a dominant position presented challenges anew, culminating in a narrow 2-1 triumph during the 247th Merseyside clash.
Securing their fifth consecutive league victory cemented the champions’ formidable standing atop the league table. Despite sidestepping the nail-biting finales witnessed in recent matches, their vulnerability seemed most pronounced when holding a 2-0 advantage.
On three separate occasions in six matches this season, they’ve been reeled in from that very scoreline, only to clinch victories with added-time goals. When Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike found the net within the first 29 minutes against Everton at their home ground, an easy victory seemed assured.
However, as this campaign has demonstrated, nothing comes without a struggle for Arne Slot’s squad, still integrating the fresh summer acquisitions. A surprisingly lackluster second half allowed the visitors to dramatically shift the game’s momentum, highlighted by Idrissa Gueye’s strike in the 58th minute.
Everton ultimately displayed greater vigor towards the end but lacked the necessary finesse to secure an equalizing goal. David Moyes departed Anfield having matched Sir Bobby Robson’s unfortunate distinction of never securing a win at the stadium in 23 attempts, suffering defeats in the last nine.
Newcomer Florian Wirtz started on the Liverpool bench for the first time. Everton heavily leaned on their own £100 million ($134.8m) acquisition — albeit on loan — Jack Grealish for inspiration, though each instance of lost possession, mis-control, and error was met with resounding jeers.
Conor Bradley, making his inaugural start of the season, enjoyed a comparatively straightforward first half but encountered a more demanding assignment after halftime.
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Another brisk start saw Liverpool seize the initiative in the 10th minute. Mohamed Salah’s arcing cross landed on the right side of the penalty area, where Gravenberch, not particularly known for his scoring prowess, let it bounce before executing a hooking shot that sailed across and over Jordan Pickford.
The Dutchman remained scoreless throughout the previous season but has already tallied two goals in five appearances.
Salah sent a shot soaring over the crossbar, while Cody Gakpo’s volley bounced awkwardly off the ground before Ekitike demonstrated how it should be executed.
The France international, whose ability to drop deep to turn and accelerate towards Everton’s defense, put the finishing touches on a remarkable sequence that sliced through the visitors’ stagnant midfield. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister combined before Gravenberch threaded an inviting pass.
Ekitike masterfully controlled the ball with his first touch and delicately rolled an angled shot between Pickford’s legs with his second.
Beto, whose lone chance at goal was a challenging one when Iliman Ndiaye’s cross landed behind him, was replaced by Thierno Barry at halftime. However, it was Liverpool’s sluggish start to the second half that infused Everton with hope, where little had seemed possible before.
As Slot readied his initial substitutions — Curtis Jones and Wirtz – to revitalize his team, Grealish floated a cross towards the far post, where Ndiaye directed it back for Gueye to emphatically strike home.
Alexander Isak entered the match in place of Ekitike shortly thereafter, but even the British record signing, still regaining match fitness, struggled to swing the momentum back in Liverpool’s favor.
The final whistle offered a sense of relief for the home side, who continued their trend of securing victories while performing short of their best.
Everton’s season, conversely, has lost momentum since the international break, though Moyes will derive encouragement from their second-half performance, even if it ultimately proved inconsequential.
