EPL: Liverpool cling on against furious Everton comeback

Liverpool held firm under a ferocious second-half Everton onslaught to secure a vital 2-1 Merseyside derby victory at a nervy Anfield on Saturday, moving them top of the Premier League table.

The Reds seemed to be cruising to a comfortable win after a dominant first-half display. Ryan Gravenberch settled early nerves, firing home from a Mohamed Salah assist just ten minutes in. The lead was doubled before the half-hour mark by new signing Hugo Ekitiké, who coolly finished another move orchestrated by Salah, seemingly putting the game beyond doubt.

However, the Toffees emerged after the break a transformed side. Idrissa Gueye ignited the contest in the 58th minute, finishing from an Iliman Ndiaye pass to halve the deficit and set up a grandstand finish.

What followed was a classic derby onslaught. Everton poured forward, with Alisson forced into crucial saves and James Tarkowski making a monumental goal-line block to deny Florian Wirtz. The tension spilled over as referee Andrew Madley brandished a flurry of yellow cards, but the visitors could not find a decisive second.

The final whistle brought palpable relief for the Anfield faithful and manager Arne Slot, whose side showcased both their lethal attacking quality and a gritty resilience to see out the win. For Sean Dyche’s Everton, it was a bitter pill to swallow after a second-half performance that deserved more, leaving them to rue missed opportunities as they narrowly failed to complete a stunning comeback.