The FC Liverpool – unbeaten in all competitions – went into the first Merseyside Derby against FC Everton 2:1 (2:0) in the 2025/26 season as the clear favorite. "The Reds" welcomed their city and arch-rivals "The Toffees" from just down the road on September 20, 2025, for a lunchtime kick-off – and the match of the week was bound to provide some goosebumps moments.
Rain at Anfield, the world-famous anthem "You'll never walk alone" maybe a little more intense than in any other Premier League match, a minute of silence for the late Liverpool players Bobby Graham (80) and Joey Jones (70), it was all set up for this Saturday lunchtime at the Merseyside Derby.
Only Florian Wirtz had to wait. The German newcomer to FC Liverpool was surprisingly not in the starting lineup, with Hungarian ex-Leipzig player Dominik Szoboszlai taking his place in midfield.
Everton had won only one of their last 28 games at Anfield, which is no longer the neighboring stadium.
The early lead in the Merseyside Derby on September 20, 2025: Liverpool celebrates the goal scorer for 1:0 against Everton, Ryan Gravenberch. Photo: Imago Images / Xihua
FC Liverpool vs FC Everton: Ex-Bayern star makes the first move
At first, not much changed. After 10 minutes, FC Liverpool celebrated as Ryan Gravenberch converted a fine pass from Mohamed Salah on the right side with a direct shot to make it 1:0 – a dream goal from the ex-Bayern player.
It was of course Liverpool’s first shot on goal against England and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
And there was more bad news for Everton fans in the Anfield Road End: since 1992, Liverpool had not lost a Merseyside Derby after taking the lead.
Gravenberch’s 1:0 was already the 41st ball contact in the final third of the field – after 10 minutes…
After 20 minutes, the fans at "The Kop", Liverpool's famous fan stand, started singing the song for Diogo Jota. The Portuguese, tragically passed away in early July, scored his last goal for LFC in the Merseyside Derby. A big gesture.
"Ekitiké is impressive"
Back to FC Everton, who at this point, despite the involvement of Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish, were merely a sparring partner.
Liverpool didn’t hesitate long: 2:0 after 29 minutes through Hugo Ekitiké after a vertical pass from Gravenberch, who by this point was clearly a candidate for "Man of the Match."
Cody Gakpo, also from the Dutch collection of coach Arne Slot, missed the second goal for Liverpool after 24 minutes.
"Hugo Ekitiké is getting better and better," former Liverpool player Stephen Warnock said on BBC Radio 5 Live about the goal from the ex-Frankfurt player, who was bought for 95 million euros, "When he has the ball, he’s a danger and has already been impressive in his first time at Anfield."
Yes, exactly these kinds of players are what the Premier League attracts with a lot of money, and they usually thrive in the English top league, which makes football trips Premier League so attractive. Just a side note.
FC Everton got back into the game with Idrissa Gueye’s 2:1 (58.) – suddenly there was tension in a game that had been drifting along until that point…
"That was well-prepared by Jack Grealish on the left side, a deserved goal to close the gap," said Scotland idol Ally McCoist on TNT Sports.
Everton needed just two shots to get past LFC goalkeeper Alisson Becker…
Was this going to be the first dropped point for Liverpool in the new Premier League season? FC Burnley had almost forced a 0:0 draw against the "Reds" the day before, but a hand penalty from Mo Salah (90+6) kept Liverpool’s record intact.
Arne Slot responded by bringing on Wirtz and Curtis Jones for Gakpo and the again disappointing World Champion Alexis Mac Allister.
Szoboszlai stayed on the pitch and almost provided the hosts' response after 63 minutes – his shot was blocked for a corner.
After 67 minutes, the record signing in Premier League history, Alexander Isak, also came on. The Swede replaced the goal scorer for 2:0, Ekitiké.
It was the Premier League debut for the striker, who had briefly been active for BVB, in the FC Liverpool jersey.
Grealish, who played his best game so far in the Everton shirt, prevented the third goal for the "Toffees" after a header from Virgil van Dijk (71.).
Final Sprint: "It doesn’t feel like a Merseyside Derby"
Liverpool regained control in the final stages, although attempts to use Alexander Isak for counter-attacks were initially unsuccessful.
So, this Merseyside Derby lived up to its tension until the very end. Everton idol Wayne Rooney saw it differently on BBC Match of the Day: "It doesn't feel like a derby. Not at all."
We didn’t share that impression, with all due respect. It was a rain battle in which the favorite, FC Liverpool, put itself under pressure due to some recent sloppy play.
Florian Wirtz was again not a factor, nor was Alexander Isak. Everton coach David Moyes ("The Chosen One") brought on fresh legs with Carlos Alcaraz and Tyler Dibling, but "The Slot Machine", as Arne Slot’s team is also called, calmly played through the three minutes of added time and sealed the win – 2:1.
"I’ve watched Liverpool a few times this season, and when they were 2:0 up, they sometimes still conceded two goals," said Jack Grealish after the match on TNT Sports, "that’s why we still believed. We showed a great finish, but didn’t get the second goal."
When is the return leg FC Everton vs FC Liverpool?
The first Merseyside Derby at FC Everton's new Hill-Dickinson-Stadium is scheduled for April 18, 2026.
Der Autor: Carsten Germann berichtet seit 2002 aus erster Hand über den englischen Fußball, u. a. für DIE WELT, BILD am SONNTAG und seit April 2021 auch als leitender Redakteur beim Portal Fussballdaten.de. Zudem gab er mit den Büchern Football’s home (2007) und Absolute Dynamite! (2010) zwei Sammelbände mit seinen Fußball-Reiseerlebnissen aus Großbritannien heraus. Für DIE FUSSBALLREISE schreibt er regelmäßig über den Insel-Kick.