Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Everton as Ryan Gravenberch and 3 more excellent

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool won the 247th Merseyside derby against Everton, not needing a late winner to get over the line for the first time this season.

Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring with a lovely finish into the corner after he was played in by Mohamed Salah and the Dutchman's exceptional start to the new season continued from there as he set up Hugo Ekitike for the second.

This time, there was no squandering of a 2-0 advantage for Liverpool, as happened just three days ago against Atletico Madrid. Idrissa Gana Gueye slammed a shot past Alisson Becker early in the second half but the visitor struggled to muster much beyond that.

Winners

There is little more than you can say about Gravenberch at this point. In the first half, he got himself a goal and an assist while running the game from the center of the field. The Dutchman is a real star and he is in such a confident mood right now.

Ekitike, too, was another who looked like he was right in the groove. Both players just glided across the field, showing such a level of technique that they comfortably won their battles. They were the pair that stood out the most, especially in the first 45 minutes.

Losers

No one individually was poor from either side, but in trying to control the game and take the sting out of it at 2-0, Liverpool allowed things to drift a little and the crowd, at times, was frustrated.

There is a fine balance to be struck in scenarios like these and Liverpool found that out the hard way against Atletico Madrid. This time, it was able to hold on.

Player ratings

Alisson Becker (7). Some of his distribution was suspect at times but the Liverpool goalkeeper was clean with the saves that he made and didn't need to do that much.

Conor Bradley (6). Making his first start of the season ahead of Jeremie Frimpong and coming up against Jack Grealish, the Northern Irishman defended well but was living on the edge at times. He was lacking the sharpness he has at his best, but that can be explained by his limited game time.

Ibrahima Konate (7). Front-footed and proactive against Beto, who is strong and can be a handful, and then Thierno Barry. This was a good showing and his passing from strong too, apart from the one he put straight out for a throw.

Virgil van Dijk (8). The hero midweek with a late winner against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, he was having an ongoing battle with James Tarkowski at set-pieces but came out on top. Typically powerful and leading his defense.

Milos Kerkez (7). Back in the starting XI ahead of Andy Robertson to make his first appearance in this fixture, the Hungarian looked sharp and determined. He wasn't drawn into silly tackles and was patient with his play, popping up with a couple of crucial headers to see the game out.

Ryan Gravenberch (9). His exceptional start to the season continued here. A sensational performance, particularly in the first half, in which he scored and assisted in the first half to send Liverpool on its way. What more can you say? He is operating at a world-class level, though he did give the ball away a couple more times in the second half.

Alexis Mac Allister (7). Back in the team after a stop-start to the new campaign, the Argentine looked the sharpest he has all season. He is another still finding his way back to full match fitness, but this was a real reminder of what he can do when he gets back to his best.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8). Completing a more hardy and physical midfield trio, the Hungary captain was brilliant with his off-the-ball running. His passing in the final third was sharper than against Atletico Madrid too.

Mohamed Salah (7). Back in the swing of things midweek, Salah continued that here. He was a strong performer against Vitali Mykolenko and turned him inside out at times. His influence faded in the second half, as did Liverpool's attacking threat generally.

Hugo Ekitike (8). The second starter making his Merseyside derby debut, Ekitike looked settle in immediately. Before long, he had scored, but not before he had ran rings around the Everton defense. His link-up play was superb and he matched the required level of physicality.

Cody Gakpo (6). Slightly predictable at times but a tall player in the team, which is vital against Everton. He did a lot of tracking back to help Kerkez out, though he could have done more in the final third.

Substitutes

Curtis Jones (7). Brought on to help Liverpool keep the ball better and inject some fresh energy into the midfield. That is exactly what he did.

Florian Wirtz (6). The German playmaker had a couple of sights of goal but was crowded out on both occasions. He ran a lot but it wasn't easy to get up to speed.

Alexander Isak (6). Like Wirtz, it was a fast environment to come into. There were a couple of touches for him but little more as he continues to increase his sharpness.