Arne Slot reaction — Liverpool boss speaks on Merseyside derby win, Isak-Ekitike headache

For a while, it looked like Arne Slot’s Liverpool would have a straight-forward, comfortable-enough win for the first time this Premier League season.

Ryan Gravenberch scored a goal and then set up Hugo Ekitike for another as the Reds raced into a 2-0 lead with big-money buys Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak on the bench.

But Everton found their fight at the halftime interval and pulled a goal back through Idrissa Gana Gueye, setting up a fine finish at Anfield.

The Reds emerged as winners again, now a perfect 5-0-0 on the young Premier League season, and Arne Slot’s thoughts were interesting after a tricky spat with their local rivals as he still is upset about the fixture list. He also spoke about choosing between in-form Ekitike and big-buy Isak.

Arne Slot reaction — Liverpool boss speaks following Merseyside derby win over Everton

What did you like today? “The first half performance. We always knew how difficult it was going to be, three games in seven days, early kickoff on Saturday. You can also see how much impact this has. The first half when we were fresh, unbelievable in how we played. The second half, you have to give credit to Everton but you could see we were [losing energy].”

Ryan Gravenberch is getting even better: “If I say better that would mean there was room for improvement last season. Both goals we targeted the same area where we had players with higher pace to come into those situations.”

Selection headache between Ekitike and Isak? “There’s no headache at all. These two players are very happy we have them both. Both of them know it’s very hard for them to play three times 90. Hugo is 21, 22 and comes to a new intensity league. You can see the ones who are used to that — Virgil, Ryan, Mo. But for the new ones you can see that’s harder.”

“Alex is far from ready to play 90. We are trying to bring him there as long as he stays fit. It’s nice that you can ask me this question about any position.”

Worried about another nervy time defending a two-goal lead: “The few times it’s happened it’s been a different story each time. The first time we missed Ryan, and were open to counterattacks. The second time we conceded two times against Newcastle from set pieces. Against Atletico we had enough bodies behind the ball and today it has a lot to do with three games in seven days. In other leagues, this would not happen that you have an early kickoff.”