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Liverpool earned a 2-1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Danny Murphy reckons that Ryan Gravenberch was back to his best in Liverpool’s Merseyside derby victory.
The Reds earned a 2-1 win over Everton in the maiden meeting at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The contest was settled by Virgil van Dijk’s header in the 10th minute of stoppage-time. Mo Salah had opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 29th minute before Everton striker Beto equalised nine minutes into the second period.
Liverpool have endured an underwhelming 2025-26 season having won the Premier League title last term. Individual and collective performances have dipped significantly and pressure has been placed on head coach Arne Slot.
But Murphy believes that the Reds were better going forward against Everton, with the triumph edging Liverpool closer to securing Champions League qualification. And the ex-Anfield midfielder reckons that Gravenberch displayed the levels that earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year last term.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Murphy said: “Everton, first half especially, played well and shouldn't have been behind in the game. But Liverpool did some good things from a creative point of view. They weren't great defensively, it was a bit chaotic at times, they were a bit all over the place defensively.
“But from a creative aspect, they played better. Robo helped being back in at left-back, calmer. I thought the biggest influence was Gravenberch... playing as we saw him last season, going past people, being confident on the ball, dictating play, creating attacks.
“They just seemed a bit freer in terms of their attacking play and the press was a bit better. They have been criticised a lot this season, and rightly so, for their poor pressing this season. When they win it back, Gakpo picks Salah out with a brilliant pass and that's the type of finish we expect.
“I thought the second half was more even and they created some really good chances. Gravenberch, I thought was Liverpool's best player and did so many good things and when the ball came for Rio Ngumoha, who had just come on the pitch, you thought it is written for him (to score the winner) and just leans back.
When you don't score and make these chances, you need someone to produce from a set-play. Liverpool haven't been particularly dominant from set-plays this season so Van Dijk getting the goal is great for him, great for the manager, it eases the pressure and gives them a little cushion in the table.
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