Arne Slot's Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory against Everton in a tense Merseyside derby, continuing their impressive start to the Premier League season. The win, however, wasn't just another three points; it showcased Slot's tactical flexibility and highlighted the emergence of Ryan Gravenberch as a key player, marking a potential flagship triumph of Slot's early reign.

Liverpool started the game strongly, establishing a two-goal lead in the first half. Gravenberch opened the scoring with a well-taken finish, followed by Hugo Ekitike, who netted his third Premier League goal. Gravenberch also provided the assist for Ekitike's goal. However, Everton responded in the second half, with Idrissa Gueye pulling a goal back to set up a nervy finish. Despite Everton's pressure, Liverpool managed to hold on for the win, maintaining their perfect start to the campaign.

Slot acknowledged that his team's performance dipped in the second half, attributing it to fatigue after a demanding week that included games against Burnley and Atletico Madrid. He highlighted the challenges of playing three games in seven days, including a late Champions League fixture and an early Saturday kickoff for the derby. Despite the fatigue, Slot expressed his satisfaction with his team's first-half performance and their ability to secure the result.

One of the key talking points from the game was Slot's decision to start Florian Wirtz, a summer signing who had featured in every previous game, on the bench. Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney suggested that this decision was a sign of respect towards Everton and their manager, David Moyes. Rooney noted that Slot's lineup, with Szoboszlai playing in a more central role to support the midfield, indicated an awareness of Everton's strengths and their solid start to the season. Slot himself explained that players are rarely happy when they are left out of the starting lineup, but he made the decision based on his assessment of the game.

While the victory was crucial for Liverpool, the game also highlighted some areas for improvement. Liverpool have surrendered two-goal leads on multiple occasions this season, and their concentration and defensive organization were again questioned after the Everton game. Slot will need to address these issues to ensure his team can maintain their strong start and avoid unnecessary pressure in future matches.

Despite the nervy finish, the win against Everton demonstrated Liverpool's fighting spirit and their ability to grind out results even when not at their best. The emergence of Gravenberch as a key player, capable of scoring goals and providing assists, is a significant boost for Slot's team. His performance in the derby suggests he could become an integral part of Liverpool's midfield this season. This victory and Gravenberch's performance can be viewed as an early triumph for Arne Slot, showcasing his ability to integrate new players and adapt his tactics to secure important wins.