Liverpool Dominate Everton 2‑0 at Anfield: Early Goals & Tactical Masterclass in Merseyside Derby

Liverpool secured a crucial 2‑0 victory over Everton at Anfield on 20 September 2025, reinforcing their dominance in the Premier League and underlining the gap with their local rivals. The win, built largely in the opening half, gives manager Arne Slot’s side yet more confidence as they aim for consistency throughout the season.

Liverpool Dominate Everton 2‑0 at Anfield: Early Goals & Tactical Masterclass in Merseyside Derby

From the outset, Liverpool came out of the gates with purpose. The home crowd roared early, and Liverpool responded by dictating tempo. Everton looked organized initially, but Liverpool’s early pressure paid off. In the 10th minute, it was Dominik Szoboszlai who unlocked the Toffees’ defense, finding Ryan Gravenberch in a promising area. The move ended with Gravenberch putting the ball in the net after a smart assist from Mohamed Salah. Liverpool led 1‑0, and the momentum was completely in their favor.

Everton tried to respond, but their build‑ups were disrupted by Liverpool’s high pressing and tight marking. The midfield of Everton—tasked to transition from defense to attack—found themselves stretched, with Liverpool’s full‑backs pushing high and wide, creating overloads. Still, Everton’s first half highlight came around the 28th minute when Amadou Onana forced a strong reaction from Liverpool’s backline, but could not convert, leaving the score 1‑0 at halftime.

Liverpool returned for the second half without letting up. Just before the interval, they almost doubled their lead as pressure from Trent Alexander‑Arnold on the right wing created space, but the final touch went awry. The momentum from that near miss carried into the second half, and Liverpool continued to dominate both possession and territory. Everton’s attempts to realign and control possession were met with Liverpool’s smart rotations and use of width.

The match’s second goal came at a critical moment. As the game approached the hour mark, Darwin Núñez—introduced to replace a tiring forward—tested Everton’s defense with his movement and energy. A slick passing sequence involving Gakpo and Szoboszlai culminated in Núñez finding the back of the net in or around the 60th minute. The goal rewarded Liverpool’s persistent play and completely deflated Everton’s hopes.  

After going 2‑0 down, Everton tried to lift their intensity. David Moyes’ men sought to carve paths through Liverpool’s defense, using long balls, crosses, and trying to make use of set pieces. Their persistence paid off with moments of danger—particularly when Alex Iwobi linked play and when Vitaliy Mykolenko overlapped on the left flank—but Liverpool’s defenders, including Virgil van Dijk, were resolute. Van Dijk marshaled the line, intercepting dangerous passes and keeping a calm presence even under pressure.

Liverpool, meanwhile, continued pressing for a third. They came close several times; Salah nearly stretched the lead after a clever through ball from Alexander‑Arnold, and Gakpo forced saves with shots from the edge of the box. Everton keeper Jordan Pickford faced a busy afternoon, making several good stops to keep the scoreline respectable.

Tactically, Liverpool’s game plan was clear: high pressing, fast transitions, width from the fullbacks, and overloads in midfield. Everton, by contrast, adopted a more reactive stance after conceding the second goal, opting to protect space, defend in numbers, and look for counterattacks. Despite their efforts, Everton could not recover. The halftime adjustments never fully took hold, and Liverpool’s intensity never wavered.

Statistically, Liverpool dominated. They held roughly 65‑70% of the ball over the 90 minutes, with more shots, more corners, and far fewer turnovers in dangerous zones. Everton had scattered possession and some glimpses of threat but were on the backfoot for long stretches. The home side’s ability to score early and then control the momentum was decisive.

In terms of individual performances, Virgil van Dijk stood out for Liverpool—commanding the defense, making several crucial interceptions, and maintaining leadership throughout. Szoboszlai was influential both for his assist and being a creative outlet in midfield. Salah’s involvement, even when not scoring, stretched Everton and created space for teammates. On Everton’s side, some credit must go to Onana for his work rate in the middle, and Pickford, who made several sharp saves to prevent a heavier defeat.

Discipline was relatively even. There were yellow cards from both sides for tactical fouls and late challenges. Everton picked up a few warnings while trying to curb Liverpool’s forward momentum. The referee’s game management kept things under control; there were no major incidents or send‑offs.

For Liverpool, this result sets them up well in the Premier League standings. Not only does it maintain their perfect start, but it also sends a message to title rivals: Liverpool are both able to be clinical and to control matches. The replay at Anfield showed not just attacking flair but defensive resilience and tactical intelligence.

Everton, on the other hand, will reflect on missed opportunities. Their inability to slow down Liverpool’s early rhythm cost them dearly. Going forward, they must improve their first‑half setups, find sharper attacking patterns, and avoid being inundated by pressure so early. Their defensive shape was decent in patches, but what they lacked was penetration and consistency in attack.

Looking ahead, Liverpool face several tough fixtures, and maintaining this level of performance, especially at home, will be key to staying in the title race. Everton have some breathing room in upcoming fixtures but must find answers quickly if they wish to climb the table. The Merseyside derby always carries extra weight—momentum, morale, and bragging rights are at stake.

In conclusion, Liverpool’s 2‑0 win over Everton was both dominant and controlled. Early leadership in goals, strong defensive work, and effective midfield control highlighted Liverpool’s readiness to compete at the top. Everton showed fight but were unable to match Liverpool’s intensity and sharpness. For fans, this was an entertaining derby that reaffirmed Liverpool’s status as one of Premier League’s strongest contenders.