First-half goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike gave Arne Slot’s men a commanding lead, but Idrissa Gueye’s second-half strike ensured a nervy finish for the hosts, who have now won all five league matches to open their campaign.

Everton dropped one spot to seventh in the table after their second loss of the season.

Gravenberch struck in the 10th minute when Mohamed Salah sent a ball over the top that the Dutch international met on the bounce for a superb finish, hooking his shot beyond the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

“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.

Close-season signing Ekitike, who started ahead of Liverpool’s British record signing Alexander Isak, doubled the lead in the 29th when the Frenchman took one touch from Gravenberch’s pass before finishing through Pickford’s legs.

But Everton grew into the game and Gueye pulled one back in the 58th when he lashed a shot into the far left corner after Iliman Ndiaye had cleverly cut back Jack Grealish’s cross.

The nerves were palpable over the final few minutes of an entertaining afternoon in lashing rain as Everton parked in Liverpool’s end but, try as they might, the Toffees could not find the back of the net.

Liverpool had 11 shots to Everton’s nine.

–Reuters–