LIVERPOOL 2 – 1 EVERTON
Liverpool Gravenberch 11’, Ekitike 29’
Everton: Gueye 58’
Pre-Match
New boys Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak start on the bench as Liverpool prepare for yet another Merseyside Derby. Federico Chiesa is left out entirely, with Arne Slot preferring the youngster Rio Ngumoha. It’s Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo flanking an on fire Hugo Ekitike. It’s a rainy, gloomy send off to summer in Liverpool. But at least the sun isn’t in anyone’s eyes, I guess. Liverpool want to win their fifth Premier League game
in a row, their sixth in all competitions. Hopefully if that happens, it won’t be left to a last minute goal to get the job done. I’ll take a lovely clean sheet to start my weekend, thank you.
First Half
Liverpool have started the game strong. Usually it takes some time for them to wake up when they play the early game, but they look ready to get the ball into the back of the net.
Every time the camera pans to David Moyes, it’s a jump scare.
In fact, Liverpool are the first to get on the board this afternoon. Salah sends a chipped pass in behind that Ryan Gravenberch latches onto and guides into the goal. It’s a great goal, made to look easy by two world class players.
Liverpool are peppering the shots on goal now, having Everton well and truly on the back foot. First it’s Dominik Szoboszlai’s shot that’s headed wide by James Tarkowski. Moments later, Salah blasts one high and into the crowd.
Konaté is forced to send an Everton effort out for a corner, but the Reds make short work of clearing their lines. On the other end, Gakpo tries a volley that he doesn’t hit quite right, and it bounces over the bar instead of causing any trouble for Pickford.
Unsurprisingly given his current form, it’s Ekitike who bags Liverpool’s second of the game and his fourth of the season. What an incredible start to his Anfield career for the Frenchman. Gravenberch is the supplier this time, after a quick and efficient sprint down the pitch between Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. The latter gets the ball to Gravenberch, who deftly feeds it to the onrushing Ekitike.
But as Liverpool fans know this season, 2-0 is the most dangerous lead. Another goal before halftime would go a long way to relieving some worries. Alas, though, that’s not to be. After playing only one minute of stoppage time, the referee blows his whistle to end the half.
Second Half
Liverpool look lethargic on the restart, while Everton clearly think there is still a game to win. It’s become scrappy where Liverpool previously dominated. In fact, there’s a feeling of inevitability in crowd as Idrissa Gueye pulls the Toffees back into the game with a goal in the 58th minute.
So long my hopes for a clean sheet, but Liverpool can and should still stick it out to win this game. Let’s not get spoil another 2-0 lead, eh lads?
Slot makes some changes in response to the shift in the momentum of the game. Off goes Mac Allister and Gakpo. In their places are Curtis Jones and Wirtz. A few minutes later, Ekitike makes way for Isak to try and make a difference in this game.
It had been all one-way traffic in the first half, but now Liverpool look like they’re struggling to keep up with a reinvigorated Everton side.
Gueye gets close again on the back post, but thankfully it ends with a Liverpool free-kick. Szoboszlai gets a booking for a bad challenge against James Grealish. A few minutes later, though, he’s lined up to take a freekick for the Reds on the other end. His effort soars over the goal and into the Kop.
There’s three minutes off added time. Can this game please end?
Deep into added time, Liverpool earn a corner. No last minute magic garners them another goal, but it in the end, it doesn’t matter. The game ends with Liverpool on top 2-1.
Final Thoughts
Look, ultimately, if Liverpool keep winning games, I have no right to complain. I understand that. Six wins in their first six games is what every team wants. That said, I’d love to see them dominate they way we know they can for a full 90 minutes. Still, another Merseyside Derby win under the belt! Another fantastic start to the weekend!
