Liverpool held on for a 2-1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield, though it wasn't without its nerves.
The Reds dominated the first half and went into the break two goals up, but things got tense after Idrissa Gueye pulled one back in the 58th minute.
It was a different kind of win for Liverpool, who've been making a habit of late goals recently. This time they had to dig deep and show their mental strength as Everton pushed hard for an equaliser.
By the final whistle, it was the home side who were relieved to hear the referee blow for full time.
Arne Slot admitted Liverpool's main trouble was fatigue after three games in quick succession
|REUTERS
Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring with a wonderfully inventive hooked finish that sailed over Jordan Pickford - it was a moment of real quality.
He wasn't done there either. The Dutchman turned provider for Liverpool's second, setting up Hugo Ekitike who made it 2-0 before halftime.
JUST IN: Three things learnt as Liverpool hold on to beat Everton in nervy Merseyside derby
Arne Slot had actually planned to substitute his compatriot around the hour mark, but Everton's goal changed those plans. "On the pitch he does like the spotlight," Slot said of Gravenberch.
Both Liverpool goals came from attacking similar areas of the pitch, with Slot praising the pace of his goalscorers.
The physical toll of playing three matches in just seven days was evident as Liverpool visibly tired in the second half.
Liverpool went two goals up through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike
|REUTERS
"We ran out of energy a bit but we didn't run out of mentality," Arne Slot admitted after the match.
The Liverpool boss acknowledged they knew it would be tough, especially without proper preparation time between games.
"If you play your third game in less than seven days against your rivals you know the second half could be very tough," he explained.
Arne Slot's side have won five out of five in the Premier League
|REUTERS
The contrast between halves was stark - Slot described the first 45 minutes as "a joy to watch" when his players were fresh, but admitted the second period was much harder as fatigue set in.
David Moyes has now matched an unwanted record that belonged to Sir Bobby Robson - 23 visits to Anfield without a victory. The Everton manager was clearly frustrated after watching his team's poor first-half display cost them any real chance of ending that miserable run.
"I think we made it really difficult by our first-half performance. I think we didn't do enough," Moyes said afterwards.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Team GB star calls herself a 'track Goddess' after 'sexy and aggressive' World Athletics Championship race
- Lewis Hamilton, 40, explains decision to sell £13m car collection ahead of Azerbaijan Grand Prix
- Sir Alex Ferguson, 83, makes heartbreaking admission after moving house following death of wife Cathy
Hugo Ekitike scored his fourth goal of the season as Liverpool won 2-1
|REUTERS
He was particularly disappointed because he felt his side had missed an opportunity, knowing Liverpool were playing their third game in a week.
The Toffees boss admitted their second-half improvement came too late, saying "we just gave ourselves a task too far."