Liverpool made it five wins from five as their flawless start to their defence of the Premier League crown continued with victory in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s side established early control when Ryan Gravenberch’s clever lofted finish from Mohamed Salah’s pass put Liverpool ahead after 10 minutes.

Gravenberch turned provider just before the half-hour mark when he played on Hugo Ekitike to beat Everton keeper Jordan Pickford with a low shot.

Liverpool illustrated the strength of their squad by leaving Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, two summer signings worth a combined total of £241m, on the bench until the second half.

Everton improved as the game went on, pulling a goal back after 58 minutes when Jack Grealish’s cross found Iliman Ndiaye at the far post and he set up Idrissa Gueye for a powerful rising drive that left Liverpool keeper Alisson helpless.

Liverpool continued their relentless winning form with this Merseyside derby win – and once again the signs were ominous for those hoping to take the Premier League title away from Anfield.

Arne Slot’s champions did not sparkle but got the job done, and did it without Wirtz and Isak in their starting line-up.

In their place was a duo who have been outstanding in the opening weeks of the season, and they stepped up to punish Everton in an early phase of Liverpool domination.

Gravenberch has been in magnificent form, continuing his excellence with a finish of quality and technique to beat the diving Pickford.

Ekitike added the second from Gravenberch’s pass to demonstrate what he offers in the central striking role, irrespective of the arrival of British record signing Isak.

Ekitike is a natural finisher, and while Slot has suggested he could play off the left-flank, the £70m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt is making a powerful case to be used through the centre on a regular basis.

Liverpool, as is their habit, made hard work of the second half as Everton improved, but once more they closed out the win to keep their place at the top of the table.

Everton analysis: Toffees show vast improvement

Everton manager David Moyes is now without victory in 23 visits to Anfield, with Liverpool inflicting more pain by setting up the platform for three points with two goals inside the first half an hour.

It gave Everton an unenviable task to get back into this Merseyside derby, but the manner in which they pushed Liverpool in the second half means Moyes can feel encouraged despite the loss.

Everton could have capitulated in that dire situation, but responded in such a manner that Liverpool fans were shouting for the final whistle while Moyes was furious only three minutes were added on at the end.

Grealish was once again a major source of creativity, along with Ndiaye, but this Everton team has a very obvious Achilles heel for all the improvements made elsewhere.

Moyes started with Beto up front but removed the striker at half-time, somewhat harshly as he had barely had any service.

He was replaced by the raw £27m summer signing Thierno Barry, but the 22-year-old brought in from Villarreal could make no impression on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

It Is a flaw that threatens to undo so much good work from Everton and is something Moyes must address in the next transfer window.

What’s next for these teams?

Liverpool: Liverpool face Southampton in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Tuesday, 23 September at 20:00 BST, then travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday, 27 September at 15:00 BST.

Everton: Everton travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, 23 September at 19:45 BST, then play West Ham United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday, 29 September at 20:00. (BBC)