Liverpool’s success this season has been built on consistent late goals, but in the Merseyside derby, they were keen to ensure they weren’t reliant on another late show.
The Reds flew out of the traps at a hostile Anfield, taking an early lead on 12 minutes when Mohamed Salah clipped a delicate ball in behind for Ryan Gravenberch, who made no mistake in lofting a sumptuous effort beyond a desperate Jordan Pickford and into the corner.
Liverpool were unrelenting at times in the first half, and could perhaps count themselves a little unlucky not to have doubled their advantage a few minutes later.
Salah was the architect for the first goal, and he was so nearly on the scoresheet himself soon after when he unleashed an effort from the edge of the box that flew narrowly over the bar.
Everton’s first-half offerings were few and far between, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall spurned a good opening following some impressive work from Jack Grealish.
The Toffees’ summer arrival was left red-faced almost instantly, when the next Liverpool attack yielded their second goal.
The influential Gravenberch was involved again, this time as the creator, threading a perfect ball through for Hugo Ekitike which the Frenchman duly slid beneath the onrushing Pickford.
Arne Slot’s men were almost the masters of their own downfall before the break when a stray Alisson pass was pounced upon by Iliman Ndiaye.
He crossed for Beto, but on the stretch, the Everton forward could only divert an effort into the relieved Kop.
Despite the security of a two-goal cushion, Liverpool looked nervy after the break and found themselves regularly turning over possession.
Their lackadaisical nature was eventually punished by the visitors just before the hour mark.
There was nothing fortuitous about how they halved the arrears, though, with Idrissa Gana Gueye hammering an effort into the far corner after he was teed up perfectly by Ndiaye.
The pendulum swung back and forth in favour of both sides after that goal, and Everton had some defensive heroics from Grealish to thank for staying in the game heading into the latter stages when he blocked Ibrahima Konate’s header on the line.
David Moyes’ men continued to push and prove in the final 10 minutes, but a distinct lack of cutting edge undid their chances of claiming an unlikely leveller.
Though nervy at times, Liverpool were largely untroubled in seeing out their 18th win from the last 29 H2Hs they’ve hosted and stretched their lead at the top of the table before the rest of their challengers play.
Defeat ends Everton’s four-match unbeaten run and means bragging rights once again belong to the red half of Merseyside.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
