Nervy Liverpool cling on for victory against Everton in nailbiting derby

It’s time to talk about Ryan Gravenberch, the cool head in an otherwise anxious Liverpool Merseyside derby win.

You would have noticed him last season, and recognised the deserving praise for a footballer reinvented as a deep-lying midfielder. But whatever your allegiances, you most likely moved the conversation on to Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, or shrugged your shoulders and commented he is levels below the greats of the Premier League era.

Maybe think again. With the seeming effortlessness of one of his perfectly balanced runs through the heart of a defence, Gravenberch could be on the threshold of becoming the most influential player in the division.

He headlined the Merseyside derby by scoring the opener, and creating what proved the winner for Hugo Ekitike. At that stage, the goalscoring duo looked like they might inspire a comfortable win.

Not so, Everton rallied to make Liverpool fight for their fifth consecutive win, David Moyes’ side leaving Anfield in better spirits than in recent years. Their improvement is obvious.

But derbies are ultimately only about the outcome, and Liverpool’s first-half display was enough.

The Dutch midfielder was not alone in impressing. Ekitike arrived being compared to Alexander Isak. It turns out Isak has quite the standard to reach to match what the French striker has produced in the first six weeks at Anfield, his name echoing around Anfield at full-time.

Questions may still be asked as to how and why Liverpool can go from looking so good to vulnerable in the same game. Perhaps on this occasion it had as much to do with Everton pushing forward when they were in need, and when Idrissa Gana Gueye reduced the deficit early in the second half, the nerves were tangible.

A better season awaits for Everton. But Liverpool continue to win with the look of a side that will only get better.

Slot makes his point about the schedule

We knew how difficult it was going to be, three games in seven days and 62.5 hours rest. Early kick off on Saturday, which I don’t mind but I don’t like it if we play on Wednesday evening. You can see how much impact this has because in the first half when we were fresh, we were unbelievable. We were running out of intensity but the mentality was incredible.

Both goals we targeted the same area where we had players with higher pace [than them] to arrive.

There is no headache because the two players are happy that we have them both. Both of them it is almost impossible to play three times 90 minutes. Hugo is a young player, who comes to a new league, high intensity. You can see the players who are used to that.

People will say I have such a big squad, yes I have that’s how we managed to win all three games! In other leagues, where I come from this would to happen that you have an early kick-off or you would get more time. You would ask the FA to postpone by a day because of injury risk. People want to see us play, that’s why we play so early... I can understand why because we’re a great team to watch.

Moyes on the performance and the stoppage time

I think we made it really difficult by our first-half performance, we didn’t do enough. We just lacked a little bit. Our second-half performance was a lot more like where we should have been at.

We still need to supply the forwards with opportunities. We have had to buy within our means, and will hugely support what we have got. I thought Barry came on and had moments, but he is still learning.

I find it quite [three minutes added time] unbelievable.

More from Grealish

It was what I expected, coming here it was hostile, faster. I don’t think we played well in the first-half, we came in a half-time and had a chat with the manager and then second half, we lost the game in the second half. Frustrating because if we had played like that, pressed like that from the start it would have been a different game. In the end we couldn’t get that last goal.

When I have watched them [Liverpool] this season they have been so good but there has been a few times they have gone 2-0 up and then conceded two, we had the belief. We got the one back, a great finish Idrissa [Gueye] but we couldn’t get that last goal.

Grealish not happy with some decision

I’ve never seen a player in my whole life be booked for taking a quick free-kick [as happened to Dewsbury-Hall]

Even the added time. Three minutes and one minute, c’mon, 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.

Liverpool’s ideal 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

Gravenberch speaking

I’m really happy with the goal. 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.

FT: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Five wins from five to start the season for the Premier League champions and they are Merseyside derby victors. They were impressive in the first 30 minutes, but struggled thereafter as Everton gave an unlikely comeback a right good go. Gravenberch the star again, and this was a better day for Kerkez.

Everton can feel pleased with their efforts, but were simply too open in midfield in the early stages. Grealish was great though, and he has been booked for giving the ref verbal after the full-time whistle.

Liverpool six points clear with Chelsea playing at Old Trafford later today. Arsenal play Man City tomorrow.

93 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

One last chance for Everton to send the ball into the box after a dodgy backpass from Van Dijk that almost wrong-footed Alisson, but Grealish’s cross does not have enough height.

92 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Garner blocks Szoboszlai’s shot after Isak’s pass, and Liverpool have a corner and the chance to kill more time. Konate and Van Dijk have stayed back and they will surely take this short. Salah fouled by Dibbling. Time surely running out for Everton.

91 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Liverpool have possession of the ball again, and with just two minutes to play they can see the finish line.

90 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Another vital defensive header from Kerkez with O’Brien lurking behind him. It looked like Grealish’s teasing cross was drifting over the head ot the left back. The corner is swung to the back post, where Grealish slashes a volley over.

There are just three minutes of added time. Moyes not happy.

88 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Everton applying real pressure now. Crucial header from Kerkez at the back post when O’Brien was threatening to meet Garner’s touch. Everton then launch a long throw into the box which Liverpool defend, but it is coming straight back at them.

85 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Another great challenge from Tarkowski in the box against Salah after a cut Isak pass between bodies. In any case, the flag was up for offside. Mykolenko’s race is run on his return from injury, Alcaraz is on. Dibling has also replaced Ndiaye. Garner to left-back.

83 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Great goalkeeping from Pickford to sweep up outside of his penalty area when Liverpool looked to break at pace. Grealish then gets away with an obvious handball near the corner flag. But then Garner loses the ball cheaply in midfield for Everton who are about to introduce Alcaraz from the bench.

81 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Curtis Jones fortunate to get away with a poor piece of control on the edge of his defensive third, but the flag goes up against Barry for offside. Ndiaye then shows his strength against Wirtz, who holds back the Everton man and is booked. Liverpool limping towards the line.

78 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Everton free-kick in midfield after Grealish is fouled by Curtis Jones and, bizarrely, Dewsbury-Hall is booked for trying to take the free-kick quickly. Grealish nips in front of Bradley to win another free-kick. Liverpool’s right-back has struggled with Grealish in the second half. Great crossing position, left of centre.

What a waste from Garner... overhit for a Liverpool goal kick.

75 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Liverpool rallying now. Szoboszlai takes on an ambitious free-kick from more than 35 yards but it does not quite dip in time. Another Liverpool corner ends with the home team comitting a foul. Everton still in the game as we approach the closing stages.

72 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Everton commit the cardinal sin of losing the ball at the edge of the D from the corner, and Liverpool race clear on the break. Lovely disguise on a chop from Wirtz to put Mykolenko on his backside, but Tarkowski was there to win a crucial tackle.

Konate with a free header from the corner but blocked by Grealish! That was going in. VAR checks for handball, but nothing doing.

70 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Grealish’s stomach for the fight was questioned at times last season, but he has been superb today. Has stood up for Everton in their toughest game of the season. He drives inside and is dragged down by Szoboszlai at the expense of the yellow. Garner delivered a teasing cross from the free-kick and it flicks off Konate’s head and behind for a corner.

67 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Here comes Isak. It is a like-for-like change with Ekitike making way. As it stands, the French striker is the match-winner. A long ball forward towards Wirtz bounces through to Pickford.

Everton looking dangerous down the left again, they are targeting Bradley. Grealish stands up a cross to the back post, Gueye smashes the ball across goal, but Barry’s effort was blocked and looped high into the air. The striker had to go for it, but he fouled Alisson in the process.

65 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Liverpool were penalised for a foul from that second corner. Alexander Isak has gone out to warm up. We assume on instruction, or else he is just trying to catch Slot’s eye. 

Wirtz picks up a promising position between the lines, but Dewsbury-Hall stuck to his task and hooked a leg around to win the ball cleanly. The former Leicester man has really grown into the game. He and Grealish are a good combo in the left half of the pitch.

63 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Konate pass the ball straight out of play, and Slot is on his feet trying give his team a gee up.

Cracking cross from Kerkez, swung in from deep to the back most and Mykolenko made a vital block to prevent Szoboszlai setting up a tap in. Liverpool corner. Cleared, but Liverpool keep the pressure on an win another.

60 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 1

Arne Slot is about to introduce Wirtz and Curtis Jones from the bench. Ekitike has not been very good at making it stick in the second half, a few groans around the ground at Liverpool’s inability to keep the ball.

Wirtz replaces Gakpo on the left, with Jones coming on for Mac Allister.b'

Deja vu. Again Liverpool were trying to manage the game more than they did against Bournemouth, for example, and play more on the counter attack. But lowering the temperature does not really suit their style and that allowed Everton to take more possession and grow in confidence. Moyes will have been delighted with how the second half was going even before Gana’s goal.

GOOOOAALL! Idrissa Gueye pulls one back

I never for once second doubted the attacking potential of Idrissa Gueye... what a clean hit this is. Jack Grealish dinked a cross to the back post from the left, the ball was set up for Gueye and he hammered a shot beyond Alisson. Everton rewarded for a strong spell. Liverpool making life hard for themselves again.

Idrissa Gana Gueye with a quality strike to get a goal back for Everton against Liverpool 😮‍💨@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/xvkNuegW9T— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2025

55 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Good football from Everton with Tarkwoski stepping out from the back and passing forward. Grealish slips Mykolenko in on the overlap but Dewsbury-Hall’s shot is blocked from the cut back.

Liverpool threaten on the break, but Keane made a crucial interceptions to slow the move down. Then Salah plucked the ball out of the air but shot straight at Pickford.

53 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Lovely feet in midfield from Gravenberch to get away from Dewsbury-Hall just as Everton were trying to build up a head of steam. Ekitike looks to cut inside from the left and shoot from the edge of the box but Tarkowski blocks. And then Salah’s cross is too heavy.

51 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Sloppy from Liverpool in the last few minutes, giving the all away three of four times in quick succession but Everton fail to punish them. Ekitike was the latest guilty party. Idrissa Gueye is not the player Everton want picking the lock at the edge of the box.

49 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Promising again for Everton, but Van Dijk clears Mykolenko’s cross after another move involving Grealish. Then Michael Keane almost picks out the run of Dewsbury-Hall with a ball over the top.

47 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

The home team have been sharp in the opening minutes of the second half, perhaps Slot has given them a stern warning about the dangers of sitting back on a lead. Liverpool’s turn to try a long throw but Van Dijk cannot hook it on.

Liverpool get the second half started

Not changes from Slot at the break despite the riches at his disposal.

Half-time change from Moyes

Thierno Barry is on for Beto.

Liverpool’s player of the season so far

1+1 - Aged 23 years and 127 days, Ryan Gravenberch is the youngest player to both score and assist a goal for Liverpool in a Premier League Merseyside derby. Gravitas. pic.twitter.com/lqumM4USLW— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2025

Chris’ half-time verdict

Moyes will be encouraged by Everton’s moments of pressure as the half progressed, but the slickness of Liverpool’s attacking play has been of the highest quality. Gravenberch, Ekitike and Kerkez have been particularly impressive. When it clicks, it feels like they can score each time they attack. After recent squandering of leads, however, Everton now if they get the next goal Anfield will get nervous.

HT: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

The first 30 minutes was Liverpool’s best spell of Premier League football so far this season. Intriguingly, they produced it with Wirtz and Isak watching on from the bench. Everton were pulled apart in midfield far too easily, with the unorthodox runs of Kerkez and Bradley driving them to distraction. Since conceding the second, Moyes’ have improved with Beto and Geuye missing chances. All about the next goal.

45 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Another good Everton move down the left involving Grealish, carrying the ball off the touchline and releasing Dewsbury-Hall. Intelligent cut-back from the midfielder to find Gueye who was free at the edge of the box, but he scuffed the shot and Alisson saved with ease.

44 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Everton are at least finishing the half with some pressure, they have done fairly well since conceding the second. But unless they find the game’s next goal, these spells of dominance feel hollow. The scary thing for Everton is Slot can call upon a fresh Isak and Wirtz in the second half.

42 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Everton with a free-kick wide on the right, almost at the halfway line, which they are going to put into the mixer. Alisson punches clear, but then Conor Bradley lets the ball run under his foot which enables Grealish to win a corner. Grealish has been Everton’s best player so far. Taken short, and Garner’s shot is blocked.

39 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Everton launch a long throw into the Liverpool box but the home team deal with it easily. Keane then defends well up against Salah before Grealish wins a foul from Bradley. He holds up four fingers to the referee, asking for a card for persistent fouling.

37 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Chance for Beto! Alisson with a sloppy pass out from the back for Liverpool and Ndiaye delivered from the right, but Beto could not get over his side-foot volley and a good Everton opportunity goes begging.b'

The glimmer of hope for Everton here, of course, is Liverpool recently blowing a two goal lead against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Atletico Madrid. Moyes and Slot will be hammering that message to their players. 

34 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Anfield in full voice, delighting in the misfortunes of their local rivals. Everton are now enjoying some possession in Liverpool’s half. Under Slot, Liverpool have been happier having spells when they cede some possession and rest in their defensive shape. The ball does not quite drop for Beto in the box.

32 minutes: Liverpool 2 Everton 0

Liverpool have another two-goal lead. Can they build on it this time?b'

James Tarkowski was furious with his Everton team-mates after the Liverpool second goal, throwing his arms up in the air. Alexis Mac Allister was given too much time in midfield to move the hosts into a dangerous area. It was all a bit easy.

GOOOOAALLL! Ekitike makes it two

Liverpool have the derby in the palm of their hands now. Mac Allister with a cute pass to find Gravenberch in a pocket of space, and his through ball into the box found the run of Ekitike. Liverpool’s summer signing steadied himself and sneaked his shot between the legs of Pickford.b'

Everton had responded well after what felt like an early siege. Grealish versus Bradley was turning into a significant duel. But when Liverpool go through the gears as they did for that second, it is mightily impressive.

Hugo Ekitike gets his first Merseyside derby goal as Liverpool now lead 2-0 🤩@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/YmwpiY8O6b— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2025

26 minutes: Liverpool 1 Everton 0

Good chance for Everton! It was created by a great piece from Grealish who spun away from Gravenbech and slipped a pass to Dewsbury-Hall inside the box but the midfielder drilled over the bar from a tight angle.

Then Kerkez spins away from Ndiaye, and the Everton man drags him down the expense of a booking.

23 minutes: Liverpool 1 Everton 0

That was Everton’s best moment so far. Gueye curled a pass in behind Van Dijk for Beto to chase, but it was just a little too far in front of the striker for him to hit first time. Konate knocks the ball out for a corner, which Alisson punches.

Then Liverpool race away on the counter-attack and Salah’s cross deflects to the edge of the box. Gakpo, completely unmarked, hit his volley into the turf and over the bar. Should have done better.b'

Bayern Munich’s decision to sell Ryan Gravenberch in 2023 looks like poor judgement with every excellent performance the Holland midfielder puts in. It was on Thomas Tuchel’s watch and that season he ended up playing Aleksandar Pavlović and Konrad Laimer in midfield in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, with Leon Goretzka playing in the first leg. All midfielders of Champions League quality but Gravenberch looks on a different level at the moment. 

20 minutes: Liverpool 1 Everton 0

First Mac Allister and then Bradley have shots blocked inside the Everton penalty area as the onslaught continues. Gakpo runs at O’Brien down the left by Keane heads his cross away. 

Then the applause starts in the 20th minue in memory of Diogo Jota.

18 minutes: Liverpool 1 Everton 0

Liverpool are slicing straight through the middle of Everton with one pass, it has happened repeatedly. Moyes needs to change something or else they will be out of the game by half time. One-way traffic continues.

16 minutes: Liverpool 1 Everton 0

Everton’s midfield of Gana and Garner are all at sea currently, not winning any of the second balls when they play long to Beto so it keeps coming back. Close from Salah! Well-struck curling shot from the edge of the box flies just over the bar.

13 minutes: Liverpool 1 Everton 0

There is real danger of Everton being steam-rollered here, Liverpool are flying. There were signs against Atletico that their performance levels were going in the right direction and it has continued so far. They are playing at a far higher tempo.b'

That move started with a tackle from Cody Gakpo on Iliman Ndiaye to start the move for the opening goal. Hard work from the forwards doing the ugly side of the game leading to a lovely goal. Gravenberch’s strike was his first at Anfield for 18 months and was exceptional technique to volley on the move.   

GOOOALLLL! What a finish from Gravenberch

This is a sensational finish from the Liverpool’s midfielder, on his weaker right foot. With the ball dropping over his shoulder in the box, Gravenberch took the shot on the bounce and looped the ball over Pickford into the far corner. A moment of brilliance breaks the derby open.b'

Liverpool had begun sharper all over the pitch, and with their full-backs in roaming roles it’s been tough going for Everton’s defence. Gravenberch running from his deep midfield role sums up the fluidity.

Ryan Gravenberch with a beauty of a finish to give Liverpool the lead in the Merseyside derby 😍@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/9WguHrhgSA— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2025

10 minutes: Liverpool 0 Everton 0

A worrying moment for Everton there as their midfield was split open with one pass into, of all people, left-back Kerkez. He carried the ball forward but Gakpo ran into traffic.

8 minutes: Liverpool 0 Everton 0

Big cheers from the Anfield crowd as Ekitike and Szoboszlai hunt down Grealish close to the touchline and won a throw-in. Grealish needed to look for an earlier pass, be did not have the pace to run away from Liverpool. The home team are looking quite assured so far, they have Everton pushed back and are seeing lots of the ball. Pickford yet to be tested, though.

6 minutes: Liverpool 0 Everton 0

Conor Bradley propels Liverpool down the right with a burst forward and he followed his pass, but Salah gave the ball away at the edge of the Everton box. Grealish vs Bradley already looks one of the game’s most eye-catching duels.

Liverpool then probe around the left corner of the Everton box, but then a Mac Allister pass hits referee Darren England.

4 minutes: Liverpool 0 Everton 0

Kerkez with an early foray forward from left-back but his cross is too close to Pickford. Everton are defending in a 4-4-2 it seems with Dewsbury-Hall pushed forward alongside Beto to try and block passes into Gravenberch’s feet. Liverpool’s performances have not always convinced so far but the Dutchman has been excellent.

2 minutes: Liverpool 0 Everton 0

Everton looking to play forward early and turn Liverpool’s back four. Most teams in the Premier League now play for territory from kick off rather than keep the ball.

Liverpool soon establish supremacy of possession, with Everton dropping into their defensive shape. James Garner and Idrissa Gueye have a lot of work to get through in midfield.

Michael Keane heads a cross away after good approach play from Ekitike.

KICK OFF!

Everton get the season’s first Merseyside derby under way.

A minute’s applause before the game

This is honour of two former Liverpool players who have recently died: European Cup winner Joey Jones and forward Bobby Graham.

The players are in the tunnel

Mohamed Salah is crouched and enjoying a quiet moment on his own. He is the last Liverpool player to emerge from the tunnel at a drizzly Anfield. Time for You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Beto on Everton’s chances

We are playing good. We are doing good team performances and we are confident of course that we can come here and get the three points. It’s not going to be easy because we are playing the champions.

We have a lot of options now to create so we can attack teams from the start or attack teams with the subs. We have a complete team. I am really happy to have these players around me.

Conor Bradley on what the derby means

It’s a game you always look forward to. Whenever the fixtures come out this is that game where you look and think, ‘where is the derby?’ It’s a special occasion and it’s going to be a great game, they have a really good team so I’m looking forward to it.

Arne Slot on what he expects from Everton

With all the quality that we have, we have to understand that one moment changes the momentum of the game, and Everton plays for that moment. They are quite direct, so if one of us doesn’t run back or isn’t ready for the duel, they are quite fast in front of our goal.

Maybe they change that style today but normally long throw ins and every free kick last season they brought the ball in to the box. They constantly bring it into your 18-yard box. That is the main thing we have to do today, be ready for them bringing the ball into the box.

Liverpool’s lavishly talented bench

There was a clue Slot might rest Wirtz when he asked about his capacity to fight in a derby in the pre-match newspaper huddle. It rather felt like the Liverpool coach was trying to explain that if he was not starting today, it was because of the demands of three games in a week, not because he is more of an artist than a fighter with these games tending to be scrappy. Would expect Wirtz and Isak to be that trendy modern term – “the finishers” – for Liverpool this afternoon.

Jota tributes

Paul Rigby, head of the Everton supporters advisory committee, was among those laying flowers in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.

David Moyes speaking before the game

My biggest memory is finishing above them in the league table a couple of times when I was last here.

Myko is fit but not 100 per cent fit, so we’ve got to see how long we can get out of it.

There are very few teams can come here and dominate, we are going to have to do the hard bits and the dirty bits really well but we want to have our moments as well.

Another big thing here is trying to get decisions; we lost last year with what I felt was an offside goal.

Slot rotates at full-back and restores last season’s midfield

Alexander Isak is on the bench for Liverpool today. He surprised Arne Slot by lasting an hour against Atletico in midweek. Elsewhere from that team, Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister are back, with Andy Robertson and Florian Wirtz among the subs. Conor Bradley is also drafted in for Jeremie Frimpong. Wirtz is on the bench for the first time this season, following his £100million move from Bayer Leverkusen. 

Everton team news

Starting XI: Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gana, Garner, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish, Beto.

Substitutes: Travers, Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Aznou, Iroegbunam.

Liverpool team news

No Alexander Isak in the starting line-up and more surprisingly, no Florian Wirtz either.

Arne Slot reverts back to his trusted midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominic Szoboszlai. 

Starting XI: Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Gakpo, Ekitike, Salah

Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Wirtz, Isak, Jones, Robertson, Frimpong, Ngumoha.

Rafael Benitez interview: I want to coach in England again

Ahead of this afternoon’s Merseyside derby, Rafael Benitez sat down with Telegraph’s Merseyside Football Reporter Chris Bascombe to reveal his desire to manager in England again.

In a wide-ranging interview, Spaniard recalls managing during a more austere era at Liverpool and why crossing the divide to Everton did not work out.

Fancy a flutter?

Will this be a Merseyside Derby classic or could we see a tepid early kick-off? Whatever your predictions are, you can back your predictions on these best betting sites chosen by Telegraph Media Group.

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Moyes: I wish exceptional Wirtz played for Everton

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the 274th Merseyside derby as Liverpool and Everton go head-to-head for three points and local bragging rights.

Liverpool have made a perfect start to the new campaign but have required goals in the 83rd minute or later to secure each of their five victories in all competitions. Fortune was on their side once more midweek as Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time header guided them to an opening Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid.

Meanwhile, David Moyes has led Everton to sixth, picking up two wins and a draw in four outings, and they have a committed and well-organised defence that is now complemented by an improved attack led by on-loan Jack Grealish.

As anticipated, one of today’s Merseyside derby managers believes it is only a matter of time before Florian Wirtz is ripping into defences. Perhaps it was less expected that Moyes led the cheerleading for the German before kick-off.

“He is an excellent player. He is a really good signing for Liverpool,” said Moyes.

“He will go on to be an exceptional player in time. People will soon recognise that. He is a really, really talented footballer. I wish he was playing for me!”

Wirtz has demonstrated flashes of his excellence so far. Will the hustle and bustle of a derby scrap suit him? Can he play in a playmaker role in such a congested midfield as it will surely be today? Arne Slot said his £116m signing’s all-round skills should not be underestimated.

“I think to say that he’s [just] an artist doesn’t do him justice,” said Slot.

“He is an artist, but he can be mean as well. Otherwise, you can’t reach the levels he’s reaching. He works incredibly hard here in this building to get better and better and better. So that mentality he has inside of him and you also see that mentality when he loses the ball once or twice. He’s not going to hide, he wants the third one, he wants the fourth one.

“It gets better and better every single game. He always wants to have the ball, even if he has a few moments where we feel like he could do better. He just always wants to keep the ball, always keeps on trying. And he gets better and better, and fitter and fitter. That’s maybe the thing that matters most, because we don’t have to teach him how to play football. He just has to adapt to the intensity levels of the Premier League.”