Liverpool seized control of the 247th Merseyside Derby at Anfield with a commanding first-half performance, putting city rivals Everton on the back foot and showcasing their attacking depth.
Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring inside 10 minutes, capitalizing on Everton’s slack defensive marking to slot home and ignite the Anfield crowd. The Dutch midfielder, who has been in fine form, wasn’t finished there. Just before the half-hour mark, he turned provider, threading a clever ball through to Hugo Ekitike, who calmly fired between Jordan Pickford’s legs to double Liverpool’s lead.
The Reds dictated possession for long stretches, pressing high and suffocating Everton’s attempts to build from the back. Jack Grealish, Everton’s marquee addition this season, provided flashes of creativity from the left flank, but the Toffees lacked a clinical edge in the final third. Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye had half-chances, yet Alisson remained largely untroubled.
Jurgen Klopp’s side went into the break 2-0 up, with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak still waiting on the bench, underlining Liverpool’s frightening depth. For Everton, the defensive lapses and lack of sharpness in attack underscored the gulf that has grown between the two clubs.
The second half promises a stern test of Sean Dyche’s men: chase the game and risk conceding more, or sit back and attempt damage limitation. For Liverpool, the mission will be to close out yet another derby triumph and reaffirm their status as the dominant force on Merseyside.