Everton improved after Ekitike's goal but it's a long way back. With the midfield three of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and the excellent Gravenberch back together, this feels a lot more like the formidable title-winning machine of last season.

Liverpool is five points clear at the top of the Premier League after Arsenal's late equaliser against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon

Arne Slot faces a huge decision over whether to start Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike up front in against Everton at Anfield. Liverpool handed a debut to their £125million transfer Deadline Day signing in the 3-2 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, though Isak did not play the entire 90 minutes.

Liverpool roll on. Last season’s Premier League winners maintained their perfect start with a 2-1 victory against Everton in the Merseyside derby, but it was far from comfortabl

While today’s match did reflect some of that traditional grit and moments of discomfort, it was a relatively straight-forward victory for the Reds. And given there was no need for a last-gasp goal, perhaps it feels even more relaxed and loose.