Derby Delight: Liverpool March On With 2-1 Win
- lfckopites
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
A Kopite’s verdict on the Merseyside Derby.
Five wins from five – what a start under Arne Slot! It wasn’t always comfortable, and Everton definitely had their moments especially in that second half , but the most important thing is that we got the job done. Another derby, another three points, and Anfield is still bouncing.
It might not have been a thriller full of last-minute drama (for once), but I’ll take this every single time. Two first-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitiké set the tone, and while Everton clawed one back, the Reds stood strong to keep the winning run alive.
L.F.C Kopite’s look at the first-half dominance
You could see Everton’s game plan from the first whistle – sit deep, everyone behind the ball, and hope we get frustrated. But with 57% possession, we were never short of control.
The opener was a beauty. Salah swung in a teasing cross, and Ryan Gravenberch arrived perfectly to hook it past Pickford. That lad is growing into his role week by week – he looks like he belongs in this midfield.
Not long after, Gravenberch turned creator. A clever pass through a gap in their defence found Hugo Ekitiké, who stayed ice-cool to slide it under Pickford. First derby goal for him and what a way to introduce yourself. Two up inside half an hour, Anfield buzzing.
L.F.C Kopite’s take on Everton’s fightback
Credit to Everton, they didn’t just roll over. After the break, they came out swinging – especially through Jack Grealish, who gave Conor Bradley a tough time. One sharp move ended with a rocket from Idrissa Gueye. Honestly, Alisson had no chance, it was hit that hard.
From there, the nerves kicked in a bit. Grealish kept running at us, Ndiaye was direct, and you could feel the tension around the ground. Classic derby drama, you just know they’d love to spoil our party.
L.F.C Kopite’s verdict on the midfield three
One of the big positives was seeing Gravenberch back alongside Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. That trio has great chemistry, and you can see the understanding between them and why they was so successful last season. They know one another games to a tee, when to press, when to push, when to pass – it makes everything smoother going forward.
Gravenberch in particular – what a game. He scored, he assisted, he covered ground, and he even threw himself into the defensive work. He’s starting to look like one of the most important players in this team, he has been brilliant this season.
View on the closing stages
Slot gave us a little surprise by throwing on Alexander Isak for his Premier League debut. You could feel the excitement around Anfield – big things ahead for him. But let’s be honest, the last 20 minutes were all about surviving Everton’s pressure.
We gave away too many fouls, mainly because Grealish was running at us non-stop. But with Van Dijk marshalling the backline, Conor Bradley pestering and Alisson staying sharp, we just about held firm. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. Three big points.
L.F.C Kopite’s final thoughts
Derbies are never easy, but winning them makes the weekend so much sweeter. Five wins from five, another victory over the neighbours, and plenty of positives to build on.
Gravenberch looks the real deal, Ekitiké has announced himself in style, and the midfield is starting to find its rhythm. There’s still work to do, but if this is us still “settling in,” then just imagine what’s to come.
Everton gave it a good go, but Liverpool will always be Red, It always has.
💬 What did you make of the performance, Reds? Did anyone stand out for you, and are you feeling as confident as I am about this team under Slot? Drop your thoughts in the comments – always love hearing from fellow Kopites.
Thanks for reading, and as always – Up the Reds! 🔴
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