Liverpool were again far from perfect in their 2-1 over Everton, but the media focused on their winning mentality and the superb Ryan Gravenberch.Arne Slot‘s side raced into a 2-0 lead on Saturday, thanks to goals from Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, but an Idrissa Gueye strike pegged them back in the second half.Liverpool weren’t convincing after the break, but they saw out the remaining minutes and kept up their 100 percent winning start to the season.Here’s how the media assessed the Reds’ victory. Liverpool were flawed, but they still won the derby!On X, Melissa Reddy said that Liverpool’s ability to keep winning is an art:“Liverpool still struggling with controlling possession and managing the game from a dominant position, which is natural while developing a new team as players settle.“What’s uncommon is the ability to do what it takes to keep winning regardless of the circumstance and psychological state of play.“It’s a credit to Arne Slot, his staff and the squad.”David Lynch also assessed the Reds’ victory positively, not least because of their position in the league table:“Liverpool guilty of letting Everton back into a game that looked done and dusted with half an hour gone, but perhaps it’s progress that they didn’t need a last-minute winner today.“And how critical can you be of a team that’s just won a derby to extend a perfect start?”BBC Sport‘s Phil McNulty believes Liverpool’s rivals will be worried about their ability to keep winning in relatively unconvincing fashion:“Liverpool continued their relentless winning form with this Merseyside derby win – and once again the signs were ominous for those hoping to take the Premier League title away from Anfield.“Arne Slot‘s champions did not sparkle but got the job done, and did it without Wirtz and Isak in their starting line-up.[…]“Liverpool, as is their habit, made hard work of the second half as Everton improved, but once more they closed out the win to keep their place at the top of the table.” Gravenberch was again a joy to watch, as his sparkling form continuesESPN’s Beth Lindop felt the Dutchman’s goal was just reward for an “outstanding” recent run of performances:“There’s not a single player in a Liverpool shirt who deserves that moment more than Ryan Gravenberch.“An outstanding goal for a man who has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season.”1+1 – Aged 23 years and 127 days, Ryan Gravenberch is the youngest player to both score and assist a goal for Liverpool in a Premier League Merseyside derby. Gravitas. pic.twitter.com/lqumM4USLW— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2025The Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe made a big claim about Gravenberch, backing him to become the “most influential” player in the league:“It’s time to talk about Ryan Gravenberch, the cool head in an otherwise anxious Liverpool Merseyside derby win.“You would have noticed him last season, and recognised the deserving praise for a footballer reinvented as a deep-lying midfielder. But whatever your allegiances, you most likely moved the conversation on to Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, or shrugged your shoulders and commented he is levels below the greats of the Premier League era.“Maybe think again. With the seeming effortlessness of one of his perfectly balanced runs through the heart of a defence, Gravenberch could be on the threshold of becoming the most influential player in the division.”Gravenberch isn't the best #6 in the league. He's the best midfielder in the world ?— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) September 20, 2025The Independent‘s Richard Jolly, meanwhile, spoke of the “class” the Dutchman showed, and not for the first time this week:“Gravenberch’s position in the side is more assured. Indeed, when Slot was planning to take his compatriot off, Everton scored and he was too important defensively to be substituted.“By then, he had made his mark in attack as well. Outstanding against Atletico Madrid, he carried on in the same vein, his class evident when both passing and shooting.”Finally, Mark Jones of the Mirror also heaped praise on Gravenberch after an imperious display:“Goals were the one thing missing from Gravenberch’s superb campaign last season, but now the Dutchman is adding them then he really is becoming the complete midfielder.“After his bolt from the blue at Newcastle came this spectacular derby day strike which opened the scoring in the grandest manner.[…]“He’s such an athletic, almost balletic figure, and he’s arguably Liverpool’s most important player.”