Ryan Gravenberch was the star of the show as Liverpool held off an Everton fightback in the Merseyside derby to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Premier League season.
The Dutchman produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock after 10 minutes, running onto Mohamed Salah's bending ball before delightfully half-volleying across Jordan Pickford's goal and into the net - a strike that required significant guile and technique to pull off.
He then turned provider to set up Hugo Ekitike, with the Frenchman calmly slotting past Pickford to vindicate Arne Slot's decision to leave out £125m man Alexander Isak for the derby, who watched Ekitike hit his fourth of the season from the bench.
Everton were able halve the deficit after the break through an emphatic finish from Idrissa Gana Gueye, sparking fears of another surrendered two-goal advantage for Liverpool, but the Reds managed to grit out the victory to make it five wins from five for the league leaders.
Follow live updates from Liverpool v Everton in the Merseyside derby, below
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Liverpool v Everton LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
- Liverpool hold off Everton fightback to maintain perfect Premier League start
- 58' GOAL! Idrissa Gana Gueye fires in to halve Everton deficit [LIV 2-1 EVE]
- 29' GOAL! Hugo Ekitike doubles Liverpool's lead with Alexander Isak watching on [LIV 2-0 EVE]
- 10' GOAL! Ryan Gravenberch produces moment of magic to break deadlock [LIV 1-0 EVE]
Liverpool FC 2 - 1 Everton FC
Hugo Ekitike reflects on first Merseyside derby
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Will Castle
“It’s a very good feeling,” Ekitike told TNT Sports. “We knew it would be a very tough game, it was. We had to fight until the very last minute.
“I feel proud, it was a good test for me. To score my goal and win it at the end, you can just be proud and happy for the team. We just have to keep going.”
Ryan Gravenberch: 'We have more freedom'
15:45
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Will Castle
“I’m really happy with the goal,” Gravenberch told TNT Sports. “Last season I did not score a lot so I’m really happy, especially in a Merseyside derby.
“When Mo gets the ball we know he has that pass and that the players on the ball side the space is in behind.
“We know we had three games in seven days, in England it is really tough, but we prepared well.
“The goal we conceded did not need to happen. We were a little bit going back and going for the counter, we had chances to score again but didn’t.
“This season we have more freedom in the midfield, last season I was in the six, deep, but now I can go forward more.”
Liverpool's perfect start
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Will Castle
Liverpool have won each of their opening five matches of a top-flight season for only the fifth time in their history, after 1978/79, 1990/91, 2018/19, and 2019/20.
Convincing or not, the Reds have enjoyed a perfect start.
5 - Liverpool have won each of their opening five matches of a top-flight season for only the fifth time, after 1978-79, 1990-91, 2018-19, and 2019-20. Famous. pic.twitter.com/APtZRy6q6F
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2025
Ryan Gravenberch's moment of magic
15:15
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Will Castle
This is worth another look. And another. And another.
Ryan Gravenberch with a beauty of a finish to give Liverpool the lead in the Merseyside derby @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9WguHrhgSA
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2025
Jack Grealish fumes at referee
15:00
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Will Castle
“I’ve never seen a player in my whole life be booked for taking a quick free-kick (referring to caution of Dewsbury-Hall),” Grealish told TNT Sports.
“Even the added time. Three minutes and one minute, come on, I’ve never seen that in the Premier League in the last two or three years.
“I know you want to let play go, but you can’t let one go for us and then the next minute one of their defenders gets touched and goes down.”
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:45
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Will Castle
Hugo Ekitike speaks on Alexander Isak competition
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Will Castle
“He’s a very, very good player,” Ekitike told TNT Sports. “I always watched him before I came here. So him being here is really good, I can learn and improve myself. I know there’s competition but we’re going to play together and make a difference. We will share the pitch.”
When asked if his good performances can give Arne Slot a selection headache, he said: “It’s good, it’s the coach’s problem. I’ll just do my job.”
'Everton can rue their first half-hour'
14:29
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Here’s Richard Jolly at Anfield:
“A Liverpool win without a late goal. Another trip to Anfield without a win for David Moyes. Liverpool probably deserved that victory, not least for Ryan Gravenberch's performance. Everton can rue their first half-hour.”
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:24
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Will Castle
Jack Grealish was just shown a yellow after the final whistle. Wouldn’t be surprised if he had a problem with the lack of added time there - three minutes seemed pretty sparse.
FULL-TIME! Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:22
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Will Castle
Well it didn’t end without Liverpool’s hearts ending up in their mouths - Van Dijk’s late backpass nearly crept past Alisson there - but as the ball gets cleared, Darren England blows his whistle!
Liverpool hold on and stay perfect in the Premier League.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:21
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Will Castle
90+4 mins: We’ve had our three additional minutes.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:20
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Will Castle
90+3 mins: Salah is caught by Dibling as he kicks the ball away.
The clock is ticking and Liverpool are holding on.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:20
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Will Castle
90+2 mins: Nice work from Wirtz to switch the play through Isak and find Szoboszlai in space.
The Hungarian could shoot first time aiming for the far corner but takes his time and wins the corner.
They’ll aim to keep it there.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:17
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Will Castle
90 mins: Once again, Kerkez is there to defend at the back post and prevent Grealish’s free-kick from finding O’Brien.
The corner is whipped in deep and Grealish waits for spectacular volley, but doesn’t get it right.
Just the THREE minutes added on.
Jack Grealish's understudy
14:16
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“Tyler Dibling may have been told to learn from Jack Grealish. He appears to be trying to copy his hair and lack of shinpads. Possibly not the lessons to learn but still.”
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
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Will Castle
88 mins: Kerkez with a vital touch to prevent a deep cross from finding O’Brien.
Long throw incoming.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:13
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Will Castle
85 mins: Everton have five minutes left of normal time to find an equaliser.
They’re making a double change with Alcaraz and Dibling entering the fray. Ndiaye and Mykolenko come off.
Liverpool are holding on but are very much feeling the pressure.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:11
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Will Castle
83 mins: Liverpool try and launch Salah in behind but Pickford’s starting position is spot on, coming out and clearing.
His hoof up the field nearly finds Grealish in the Liverpool corner but he can’t keep it in.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
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Will Castle
82 mins: Wirtz loses out to Ndiaye and cynically holds him back to prevent a counter.
Good tactical foul but he’s rightly booked.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:07
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Will Castle
80 mins: Another free-kick for Everton is wasted as Garner tries bending with pace, but it flies wide.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
14:06
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Will Castle
78 mins: That was baffling from Darren England. He’s just booked Dewsbury-Hall for taking a free-kick too quickly.
Time to hedge your bets?
14:03
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“If the pattern of recent Liverpool games continues, they will concede in the next few minutes, leave it a few and then score dramatically late.”
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
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Will Castle
74 mins: Szoboszlai tries to recreate his Arsenal stunner from a dead-ball scenario but doesn’t get the dip he needed, firing his free-kick over Pickford’s goal.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
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Will Castle
72 mins: A potentially goal-saving block by Grealish as Van Dijk rises for the header, only for the winger to intervene with his chest.
I’m not sure Pickford was getting there. It would have been a carbon copy of the Atletico winner.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
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Will Castle
71 mins: Liverpool counter from the corner and Wirtz almost gets in with a clear shot at goal, only for Tarkowski to come across with a massive sliding challenge.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
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Will Castle
69 mins: Szoboszlai pulls the shirt of Grealish and enters the book.
Free-kick opportunity for Everton, which is flicked over by Konate for an Everton corner.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
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Will Castle
68 mins: Huge intervention from Jones to prevent Barry potentially having a tap in from Gueye’s low delivery.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
13:55
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Will Castle
65 mins: Here comes Liverpool’s £125m man.
It’s a straight swap up top as Ekitike makes way for Isak.
Given Liverpool’s proven struggles to hold onto two-goal advantages, a third would be very much welcomed from the Swede.
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
13:53
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Will Castle
64 mins: Liverpool deliver a corner, but Darren England is quick to blow his whistle in Everton's favour as bodies hit the floor,
Liverpool 2-1 Everton
13:52
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Will Castle
62 mins: Liverpool have shaken things up in midfield.
Wirtz and Jones are on, while Mac Allister and Gakpo make way.
Liverpool's recurring problem
13:49
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Will Castle
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“Liverpool have gone 2-0 up in four games this season and not kept a clean sheet in any of them. Idrissa Gueye's goal was Everton's first in their last five trips to Anfield.”
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Everton (Gueye, 58')
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Will Castle
Everton are back in it!
Grealish is at the heart of things once again as his deep cross is well laid back to Gueye by Ndiaye, who blasts into the top corner. Nothing Alisson could have done to stop that.
Yet again, a 2-0 lead is not a safe lead for Liverpool.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:45
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Will Castle
56 mins: CHANCE! Liverpool counter as Gakpo lofts a ball towards Salah in space.
The Egyptian brings it down beautifully, controlling back across himself onto his left foot, but he can’t get power on the shot.
This game is stretching.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:44
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Will Castle
55 mins: All of Everton’s good is coming through Grealish, who sparks a nice move that leads to Dewsbury-Hall receiving the ball in the box.
Konate closes the Englishman down enough and blocks the resulting effort.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
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Will Castle
54 mins: First decent move for Liverpool of the second period as Ekitike drifts in from the left and fires from the edge of the box, similar to how he broke his Liverpool duck in the Community Shield.
It’s blocked and comes out to Salah, whose cross towards the Frenchman has too much on it.
'Liverpool's most dangerous scoreline'
13:40
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“If 2-0 is the most dangerous scoreline in football, it has certainly looked that way for Liverpool this season. Will it again? This could be a chance to see a game out with few alarms. Or, indeed, to score a third. They haven't tested how dangerous a 3-0 lead can be so far this season.”
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:39
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Will Castle
50 mins: Very sloppy start to the second half, with neither side able to keep the ball.
It’s a comedy of errors at the moment.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
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Will Castle
46 mins: Beautiful flick from Ekitike over a dumfounded Keane gets a big reaction from Anfield seconds after the restart.
He’s brimming with confidence.
BACK UNDERWAY! Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:33
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Will Castle
And we’re off again!
One change to note for Everton - Beto has been replaced by summer signing Thierno Barry.
The teams are back out...
13:32
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Will Castle
We’re about to get back underway at Anfield.
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:25
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Will Castle
Ryan Gravenberch, take a bow.
Ryan Gravenberch with a beauty of a finish to give Liverpool the lead in the Merseyside derby @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9WguHrhgSA
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2025
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:24
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Will Castle
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:22
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Will Castle
Everton enjoyed a good spell of pressure at the end of the first half - it will be interesting to see if they come out for the second in the same stead.
After all, Liverpool and 2-0 advantages haven’t had a great relationship so far this season...
HALF-TIME! Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:19
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Will Castle
There goes the whistle!
Liverpool are in control in the derby thanks to two wonderful goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:18
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Will Castle
45+1 mins: CHANCE! Grealish gets to the byline and pulls it back to Gueye, but he gets the finish wrong - hitting it into the ground and allowing Alisson to save comfortably.
Everton could’ve nicked one back on the brink of half-time there.
'Everton pushing wide players further forward'
13:14
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“Everton have started to push their wide players, Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, a little further forward in their attempts to get back into the game (and, perhaps, in their attempts to test the recalled Milos Kerkez after his unconvincing start to life at Liverpool). Their best chance of a comeback may lie on the flanks.”
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:13
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Will Castle
41 mins: Liverpool getting a bit complacent, with both Van Dijk and Konate giving the ball away with slack passes before Gakpo gives away a foul.
Everton lump it into the box from halfway but Alisson comes out to punch.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:09
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Will Castle
37 mins: Poor Alisson clearance sparks an opportunity for Everton as Ndiaye delivers a dangerous ball to Beto, who just got in front of the ball and can only hook high and wide.
Liverpool are in control here, but a quick reminder that the Reds have thrown away three two-goal leads already this season.
Liverpool 2-0 Everton
13:06
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Will Castle
33 mins: Alexander Isak being Arne Slot’s first-choice number nine is far from a foregone conclusion.
Hugo Ekitike has had an instant impact up top for the Reds and while he definitely doesn’t deserve to be dropped, he also doesn’t deserve to be moved out to the left.
The Frenchman is smashing it at the moment.
'Arne Slot's decision to bench Alexander Isak is rewarded'
13:02
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Will Castle
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“Hugo Ekitike's name was ringing around Anfield even before he scored. It has done again now. It was a fine finish and, in an instant, Slot's decision to bench Isak is rewarded. Over the next few years, that may come to seem a typical Ekitike goal.”
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Everton (Ekitike, 29')
13:00
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Will Castle
Who would drop Hugo Ekitike in this form?!
With Alexander Isak watching on from the bench, Ekitike gets his fourth goal of the season, slotting brilliantly past Pickford after Gravenberch turned provider to set him up.
Liverpool double their lead!
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
12:59
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Will Castle
28 mins: Kerkez is brought down by Ndiaye, who earns the first caution of the game.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
12:58
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Will Castle
27 mins: CLOSE! A big chance for Everton created by Grealish, who turns his man before slipping Dewsbury-Hall into the box.
The midfielder tries blasting in at the near post but fires just over.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
12:56
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Will Castle
23 mins: Liverpool counter from an Everton corner and should do better with a man over.
A blue body does well to block the delivery that comes in, but it nevertheless falls kindly for Gakpo, who gets his volley completely wrong as he the ball into the ground. It bounces over for a goal kick.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
12:55
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Will Castle
22 mins: Heart-in-mouth moment for Liverpool as Beto comes inches away from latching on to Gueye’s through ball in behind.
A first warning sign that Everton can indeed threaten themselves.
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
12:53
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Will Castle
20 mins: Anfield comes together to pay tribute to Diogo Jota as the 20-minute mark hits, as they will for every game this season.
Jota got a vital winner in this fixture last season, one that put the Reds on course for their 20th title.
Anfield erupts in applause during the 20th minute of the Merseyside Derby in memory of Diogo Jota ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hHrg7AXmZB
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2025
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
12:51
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Will Castle
18 mins: It’s been a dominant start by Liverpool, who are peppering the Everton box with deliveries at the moment.
One ball goes through to Bradley, whose effort is well blocked by Mykolenko.
Ryan Gravenberch's match made in heaven with Mohamed Salah
12:49
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Richard Jolly at Anfield
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Anfield:
“Ryan Gravenberch was terrific against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. He combined with Mohamed Salah for a goal then and has done again. The difference is that this time Gravenberch is the scorer, with a superbly-timed run into the box and a lofted finish.”
Liverpool 1-0 Everton
12:47
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Will Castle
15 mins: CLOSE! Salah nearly bags a stunner of his own as he gets it onto his left foot and bends just over the top left corner.
That was trademark Salah.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Everton (Gravenberch, 10')
12:41
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Will Castle
WHAT A FINISH FROM RYAN GRAVENBERCH!
It’s absolutely wonderful from the Dutchman, who runs onto Salah’s bending ball into the box and deftly half-volleys across the face of Pickford and into the net.
The guile and technique to pull that off. He is some footballer.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
12:40
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Will Castle
9 mins: This has been a patient start from the Reds.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
12:39
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Will Castle
7 mins: Half-chance for Liverpool as an attempted clearance from a Salah cross loops towards Gakpo at the far post, but under the pressure of O’Brien, he completely miskicks his volley.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
12:36
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Will Castle
5 mins: Good defending by Kerkez who has to win the ball twice to quell Ndiaye. He has a point to prove after being hooked before half-time last week.
Up the other end, Salah drives forward with Bradley in support but can’t get the pass right.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
12:34
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Will Castle
3 mins: Ekitike robs Gueye on the edge of Everton’s final third, putting it out wide to Salah.
Salah tries to find the Frenchman with a cross but it’s cleared before Liverpool concede a foul.
Liverpool 0-0 Everton
12:33
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Will Castle
2 mins: The early Saturday kick-off can often fall victim to a lack of atmosphere. Doubt that will a problem in this one.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool 0-0 Everton
12:31
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Will Castle
The Merseyside derby is... UNDERWAY!
Tributes to Bobby Graham and Joey Jones
12:31
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Will Castle
The teams gather around the centre circle to pay tribute to two former Liverpool players who we sadly lost recently.
A period of appreciation for both Bobby Graham and Joey Jones is overseen.
The teams are out
12:28
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Will Castle
The players enter the Anfield cauldron for the 247th Merseyside derby. Always a special occasion.
Closing in on kick-off
12:25
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Will Castle
Just five minutes until we get underway at Anfield.
Anything can happen on derby day and while Liverpool are five wins from five, their lack of conviction will give Everton hope that they can cause an upset today.
Stay tuned for all the action!
Arne Slot on why Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz were dropped
12:22
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Will Castle
Arne Slot speaking to TNT Sports on Alexander Isak:
"Normally when you don't play a player I don't think there is any player that says, 'Ok I understand your decision', ok maybe they understand it but they may have made a different one themselves. I wouldn't be surprised if you ask him today that he would say it's the best choice for him not to start, but of course it is about match fitness. It was good to see him play for an hour in midweek, let's see how many minutes he can make today."
Arne Slot on Florian Wirtz:
"The same thinking as Mac Allister on the bench against Atletico. Like I said it's three games in seven days, not in eight days, this is Sunday, Wednesday then Saturday. This is one of the most intense games that we have to play, so we try to manage it during Burnley and Atletico.
"For today I think Szoboszlai, who played both of those games as well, is more used to the intensity of the Premier League and this programme than Florian is coming from Germany. So it's only to do with so many games in limited time. I think he will feature, but not from the start."
David Moyes' miserable Anfield run
12:20
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Jamie Braidwood
David Moyes has never won a Premier League match at Anfield in 20 attempts (D6 L14) – the joint most any manager has managed at one stadium without winning, along with Moyes at Stamford Bridge (D7 L13).
Moyes has lost each of his last nine at Anfield (one with Man Utd, one with Sunderland, six with West Ham, one with Everton).
David Moyes on the Merseyside derby
12:17
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Will Castle
"All derbies, any rivalry from a major city is huge,” Moyes told TNT Sports. “I come from the big city of Glagow where Celtic against Rangers is huge. I'm in Merseyside now and would like to win a few more here, so let's hope that starts today.
"I have got a lot of belief that the players are in a good position and good form. Hopefully we can show it."
"Most of the time over my career I've had to fight against Liverpool who've spent much more and had a lot more going for them than we have. My biggest memories here was finishing above them a couple of times before I left (after his first tenure)."
Arne Slot speaks on his team selection
12:15
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Will Castle
When asked whether the short turnaround from Atletico impacted his line-up, Slot told TNT Sports: “Yes, but that was not only the thinking for today, that also happened in midweek. Against Atletico you didn't see Mac Allister or Bradley, two players that didn't have the best pre-season, so we knew from the start, three games in seven days, with the third one being the most intense.
"We needed players that were going to be ready for this game and going to be fit enough for the intensity of the game from the start. That is what we tried to do throughout every line-up we have made against Burnley and Atletico for us to be ready for this game."
Pre-match preparations
12:12
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Will Castle
Liverpool's recent home record against Everton
12:10
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Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 28 home games against Everton in all competitions (W17 D10), winning each of their last four in a row since a 0-2 defeat in February 2021, which came behind closed doors.
Everton's Beto remembers Jota's help: 'He was the first guy who texted me'
12:00
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Jamie Braidwood
Everton striker Beto insists he will be respectful to Anfield on his return two months after laying flowers in memory of Diogo Jota on a day when he witnessed first-hand the togetherness of the city’s two clubs.
The Lisbon-born 27-year-old was part of a Toffees delegation which paid their tributes following the shocking news of the death of the Liverpool forward in July.
It was particula
