Ryan Gravenberch made Merseyside Derby history for Liverpool against Everton as 34-year record tumbles
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Ryan Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s best player since the season began, and his incredible performance against Everton proved that again.
The Reds hosted their local rivals on a very dreary day for a Merseyside Derby, but the weather did not dampen spirits as Arne Slot’s side edged past the Toffees 2-1 in the early kick-off.
Gravenberch was the player to open the scoring with a superbly placed volley into the net, which was followed in the first half by a Hugo Ekitike goal to give the home side a comfortable lead.
However, Everton were able to get one back from Idrissa Gueye, but fortunately for Liverpool, despite a poor performance in the second half, they were able to hold on and get the victory.
The Man of the Match was the Dutch midfielder, whose display for the full 90 minutes was nothing short of exceptional, with the midfielder proving to Arne Slot why he is the world’s best.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
His silky skills on the ball, paired with his desire to keep the opposition from having any impact coming forward, are a sight to behold from a player who showed his class last season but has cemented himself as an integral part of the team this season.
This brilliant performance was backed up by the young player who closed in on a record held by David Burrows for 34 years in this very fixture.
The 23-year-old became the second youngest Liverpool player to both score and assist in a Merseyside Derby since Burrows achieved it in 1991.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
It is a great slice of history for a midfielder who is making his mark in the story of this great football club.
Not only was he one of the youngest, but he was also the first player since Jordan Henderson to score and assist in the first half of a Premier League derby since December 2021.
READ MORE: Peter Crouch gives verdict on how Liverpool’s midfield three looked without Florian Wirtz vs Everton
All these pieces of accolades add to a performance which was practically perfect from start to finish for him.
The goal he scored in the opening 45 minutes would not have been possible without a great ball from Mohamed Salah.
It was an assist that brought him into the top 10 all-time list in the Premier League, and while all the focus was rightly on the finish, the Dutchman made sure Salah got his flowers.
Speaking on the TNT Sports broadcast, where he accepted his MOTM award, he said: “We know if Mo gets the ball, he has an incredible pass.”
The link-up between those two players was a great sign for the side going forward, and the performance in the first half should really be a blueprint for how Liverpool can go on to control games for the rest of the season.