The Japan Times - Liverpool stay perfect in Premier League, Man Utd brace for Chelsea visit

Tottenham came back from two goals down to draw at Brighton while Crystal Palace beat West Ham to leave Graham Potter's side in the relegation zone.

Arne Slot's Liverpool were 2-0 up inside half an hour through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike but had to withstand an impressive fightback from their Merseyside rivals.

The victory means Liverpool are five points clear of second-placed Tottenham while Everton are still without a win at Anfield in front of a crowd in the 21st century.

Liverpool were quickly out of the blocks and took the lead in the 10th minute when Mohamed Salah's lifted cross dropped into the right-hand side of the penalty area.

Gravenberch allowed the ball to bounce before hooking a rasping shot over Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

France international Ekitike finished off a silky move in the 29th minute with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister combining before Gravenberch slid through an inviting pass.

Ekitike controlled the ball and finished coolly through Pickford's legs.

Liverpool have not made things easy for themselves this season, relying on a series of late winners, and an improved Everton made them sweat again when Idrissa Gueye pulled a goal back in the 58th minute.

But Slot's men held on to make it six wins out of six in all competitions as they hunt for a record 21st English title.

"We needed mentality today in a different fashion than the few times before," said Slot, who left Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak -- costing a combined £225 million ($303 million) -- on the bench.

"You can see how well we can play when we are fresh in the first 45 minutes. We ran out of energy a bit but we didn't run out of mentality."

- Amorim pressure -

Manchester United manager Amorim is desperate for a win at Old Trafford but faces a tough task against Chelsea.

United finished 15th in the Premier League last season -- their worst campaign for 51 years -- but have made a terrible start again despite spending lavishly on new signings.

They go into the match just one place above the drop zone.

The Portuguese boss has won just eight of his 31 Premier League matches since taking charge in November and still has not enjoyed successive victories in the division.

Amorim said on the eve of the match that not even the pope could make him change his cherished 3-4-2-1 formation, which has come in for widespread criticism.

Tottenham have started the season brightly under new manager Thomas Frank and rescued a point on the south coast.

Goals from Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari gave Brighton a cushion before Richarlison pulled one back shortly before half-time and Jan Paul van Hecke's own goal made it all square.

Newly promoted Leeds recovered from conceding the first goal to beat Wolves 3-1, leaving the Midlands club without a single point from their five matches.

Tyrick Mitchell scored the winner for Palace at the London Stadium to lift the London club to fourth in the table, heaping the pressure on West Ham manager Graham Potter, while Burnley and Nottingham Forest shared a 1-1 draw.

Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday, seeking their third straight win against Pep Guardiola's men at the Emirates.

Both clubs -- considered Liverpool's main challengers -- will be desperate not to lose further ground on Slot's men, who have developed the enviable habit of winning while not at their best.

T.Ikeda--JT