Arne Slot hailed the "immense character" demonstrated by Liverpool during their Merseyside derby victory over Everton.

The Reds ran out 1-0 winners at Anfield, with Diogo Jota scoring the only goal to restore their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Everton crossed Stanley Park protecting a nine-game unbeaten run in the league, and the visitors carried the greater attacking threat during the first half, with Beto having a goal ruled out for offside and hitting the post.

However, Liverpool eventually came out on top and dominated large periods of the contest, including 73.8% of possession, to seal their 100th victory over their local rivals.

"[They are] a very, very difficult team to play against because of their playing style," Slot told Sky Sports. "That's not only for us, but for every team, because they were nine games unbeaten.

"A very good manager has brought them back to life; the amount of shots they blocked, the effort they put in to defend inside their own box, and then the threat they had on the counterattack.

"I could feel that we were getting closer [to scoring], but there's a reason they hardly ever concede a goal or a chance. They bring so many bodies back, and they have players who are so good at blocking shots.

"But our boys showed immense character. I think we created more than in the away game, and in the end, we scored a good goal and kept a clean sheet."

Liverpool went into the international break off the back of exiting the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, before losing to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final.

And matchwinner Jota was pleased by the Reds' response to those setbacks..

"Massive [win], of course. Not only because it is a derby, but because of the international break," he said. 

"It was important to start with three points and, hopefully, that gives us momentum for the rest of the season."

"[Everton] make it very difficult for you," captain Virgil van Dijk added. "They have a certain way of playing, and you have to be ready for all the aspects. We stayed in the game and it's a well-deserved three points.

"Everyone wants to be in our position. Now, we have to keep going and keep the same mentality as we have been doing all season."