Liverpool reasserted their dominance of the Merseyside derby with a commanding 3-1 victory over Everton at a raucous Anfield on Thursday evening. Goals from Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and a stunning late strike from Curtis Jones sealed all three points for Arne Slot’s side, with Everton’s consolation coming from a second-half penalty converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The result extends Liverpool’s unbeaten run against their city rivals at Anfield and keeps the Reds firmly in the hunt at the top of the Premier League table.

First Half: Salah Opens the Scoring

The atmosphere inside Anfield was crackling from the first whistle, the Kop in full voice as both sets of supporters generated the kind of noise that only a local derby can produce. Liverpool started on the front foot, pressing high and pinning Everton deep in their own half within the opening minutes. It was clear from the outset that Slot’s side had come to impose themselves, and Everton’s backline was under siege.

The breakthrough arrived on 23 minutes, and it was inevitable that Mohamed Salah would be the man to provide it. Trent Alexander-Arnold, continuing his exceptional form from right-back, delivered a raking diagonal ball from deep that found Salah in space on the right flank. The Egyptian cut inside onto his left foot — a move defenders have seen a thousand times but still cannot prevent — and curled a magnificent effort beyond the despairing dive of Jordan Pickford and into the far corner of the net. It was Salah’s 17th league goal of the season and his eighth in Merseyside derbies, a record that cements his status as a tormentor-in-chief of the blue half of the city.

Everton, to their credit, did not fold after conceding. Sean Dyche’s side showed the resilience and organisation that has become their trademark under the Burnley-born manager, and they created a couple of half-chances before the interval. Calvert-Lewin headed over from a corner, while Abdoulaye Doucouré tested Alisson with a low drive from the edge of the area. But Liverpool were firmly in control and could have extended their lead before half-time, with Gakpo seeing a fierce strike pushed onto the crossbar by Pickford and Darwin Núñez dragging a shot narrowly wide from a tight angle.

Second Half: Gakpo Doubles the Lead Before Everton Respond

Any hopes Everton harboured of a second-half comeback were extinguished within seven minutes of the restart. A flowing move involving Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai carved open the Everton defence, and when the ball was squared across the six-yard box, Cody Gakpo was on hand to slot home from close range. The Dutchman wheeled away in celebration, sliding on his knees in front of the Kop as the ground erupted. At 2-0, the contest was effectively over, and the only question remaining was the margin of Liverpool’s victory.

Everton did manage to give their travelling supporters something to cheer on 68 minutes when Virgil van Dijk was adjudged to have brought down Calvert-Lewin inside the area. The decision looked harsh on replay — Van Dijk appeared to get a touch on the ball before making contact with the striker — but referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot without hesitation. Calvert-Lewin stepped up and sent Alisson the wrong way, beating the Brazilian with a confident strike into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1 and briefly inject some tension into proceedings.

Jones Seals Victory with a Screamer

If there were any nerves among the home supporters, they were banished in spectacular fashion on 81 minutes. Curtis Jones, the Toxteth-born midfielder who grew up dreaming of playing in this fixture, picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, took one touch to set himself, and unleashed a thunderous strike that flew into the top corner like a guided missile. Pickford, who had been Everton’s best performer on the night, could only watch as the ball rocketed past him. Jones’s celebration was pure, raw emotion — a boyhood Red scoring in the derby in front of the Kop. It was the kind of moment that defines careers and creates legends.

The final minutes were played out in something of an exhibition by Liverpool, who passed the ball around with the confidence and swagger of a side that knows it is in complete command. Slot’s team saw out the remaining minutes without alarm, and when the final whistle sounded, the Anfield crowd rose to salute a performance of real quality and authority. For Everton, it was another painful evening across Stanley Park, and the gap between the two clubs feels as wide as it has been in years. The Reds march on, and on this evidence, they will take some stopping this season.

Match Details

• Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk (c), Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Núñez (Diaz 72′), Gakpo (Elliott 78′)
• Everton: Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Doucouré, Gueye (Garner 65′); Harrison (Chermiti 70′), Beto, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin (c)
• Goals: Salah 23′, Gakpo 52′, Jones 81′; Calvert-Lewin 68′ (pen)
• Attendance: 61,276
• Referee: Michael Oliver