Liverpool hold on to beat Everton 2-1 in Merseyside derby

(Reuters) - Liverpool held off a spirited Everton fightback to claim a 2-1 Premier League victory in a tense Merseyside derby at Anfield on Saturday, preserving their perfect start to the season and moving further ahead atop the table after five games.

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.

"We know if Mo (Salah) gets the ball he has the incredible pass and we know if someone is on the ball side they have to go through and the space is coming in behind. So I saw it, and I went in behind, and yeah I did it."

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.

LIVERPOOL'S EKITIKE ENJOYS WINNING TOUGH GAME

"A very good feeling," Ekitike told TNT. "We knew it was going to be a tough game - it was. We had to fight until the last minute. But yeah, I'm happy, proud. It was good test for me. We just have to keep going."

Winger Jack Grealish, who has been excellent since his loan move to Everton from Manchester City, stopped what looked to be a sure goal in the 73rd minute when he blocked Ibrahima Konate's blistering header with his chest.

"It was what I expected, coming here it was hostile, faster," Grealish told TNT. "I don't think we played well in the first half, we came in at halftime and had a chat with the manager.

"Frustrating because if we had pressed like that from the start it would have been a different game. In the end we couldn't get that last goal."

Grealish and Everton boss David Moyes made a beeline for the officials after the final whistle to have a word. Grealish was shown a yellow card before Pickford pushed him away.

Grealish was angry after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was shown a yellow card for taking a quick free kick.

"We want to get the game going, we're losing the game," Grealish said. "I've never heard of that in my life."

Liverpool needed last-gasp goals in their four previous league wins along with their 3-2 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, but they stormed out of the gate on Saturday and needed no late-game heroics.